Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday that relations between Taipei and Washington remain “rock-solid” and that bilateral cooperation will continue unchanged, following a phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump.

Xi used the call on Wednesday to urge Washington to “carefully” handle arms sales to Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory despite the island being democratically governed.

Strong Communication Channels With Washington

Speaking to reporters in central Taiwan, Lai said Taipei and Washington maintain strong and effective channels of communication.

“Taiwan–US relations are rock-solid; all cooperation programmes will continue and will not change,” Lai said, adding that US commitments to Taiwan also remain intact.

He stressed that Taiwan’s political status remains unchanged, reiterating that the island is not part of the People’s Republic of China.

US Support Remains Central to Taiwan’s Defence

While the United States does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, it is the island’s most important international supporter. US law obliges Washington to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.

In December, the Trump administration approved $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, marking the largest US weapons package ever authorised for the island.

China Rejects Lai’s Leadership

Beijing has refused to engage with Lai since he took office, labelling him a “separatist”. Lai has repeatedly rejected the accusation, saying only Taiwan’s people have the right to determine their future.

The Taiwan issue remains one of the most sensitive flashpoints in US–China relations, with arms sales and political engagement closely watched by Beijing.

with inputs from Reuters