Taiwan accuses Beijing of distorting the facts on the island issue

Taiwan accuses Beijing of "distorting the facts" on the island issue, following statements released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry following the meeting between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. In a statement released today, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry says this is the "usual method" of China unilaterally communicating its position through "distortion of facts."

Taipei therefore reiterates that "the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other", arguing that sovereignty over Taiwan belongs to the people of the island and that the Beijing government "has no right to represent the Taiwanese people". “The future of Taiwan can only be decided by the Taiwanese people through democratic means,” the ministry adds.

The note comes after Beijing, in the report of the meeting between Xi and Trump, said that Washington should "handle the Taiwan issue with caution" and maintain its opposition to the island's independence.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry also accuses China of conducting "gray zone interference" activities and exercising military threats in the East and South China Seas, the Taiwan Strait and areas surrounding the island, claiming that such activities pose a threat to regional stability. Finally, Taipei states that it will continue to cooperate with the US and other partners to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.