Concerns in Taiwan following Trump's visit to China what the US president said and what authorities in Taipei

The statements following President Donald Trump's visit to China have raised doubts about US commitment to Taiwan. The government in Taiwan reacted immediately. US weapons figures for Taiwan have always been a pillar of peace and stability in the region and are envisioned in American law”, Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi stressed. He thus referred to “Taiwan Reviews Act” of 1979, in which the US promises to supply with military equipment “character defence”.

Trump hesitates for weapons shipments

This, according to him, depends on “from China” and for the US it's a very good “negotiating “ ”. “We can do it, we can't even do it”, he said in an interview for Fox News. In Taiwan it has probably not gone unnoticed also that Trump has repeated some of the positions of the Chinese communist leadership. Thus, he warned Taiwan not to officially declare independence from China even though there are no concrete signs for it.

We don't want anyone to say: let's declare independence, because the United States stands behind us”, Trump said. In December, the Trump administration had approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan. Currently, Trump's approval of a second package -- with volume of around $14 billion -- is still pending.

China considers Taiwan its territory

The Chinese leadership repeatedly points out that it does not fully exclude a military solution to take over Taiwan. For years the army has been massively strengthening, large naval maneuvers are regularly held near Taiwan, while Chinese warplanes fly near the island.

Taiwan's main island is located just 50 miles [80 km] off the coast of mainland China, and since 1949 it has been self - government. It has never been part of the Communist People's Republic declared in 1949. China, however, views Taiwan as its territory. /DW