Taiwan protests as Xi urges Trump shift on independence stance

Taipei lodged a formal protest after Xi Jinping called on the United States to maintain what Beijing characterises as the "correct position" on Taiwan, effectively seeking continued American opposition to any independence movement on the self-governed island.

The statement by China's leader underscores Beijing's determination to entrench its political position ahead of the change in US administration. Taiwan, which has its own democratically elected government, views such external pressure as inappropriate interference in its internal affairs and a violation of its sovereignty.

The exchange reflects the sensitive geopolitical positioning of Taiwan in broader US-China relations. For decades, Washington has maintained a delicate balance, officially recognising Beijing while maintaining robust unofficial ties with Taipei and providing defensive military capabilities to the island.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry responded by reaffirming the island's commitment to maintaining the status quo while opposing any unilateral changes to the existing framework. Officials emphasised that Taiwan's future should be determined by its own people through democratic processes, not dictated by external powers.

The incident comes amid broader uncertainty over how the incoming US administration will navigate its approach to Taiwan and cross-strait relations, with Beijing evidently seeking to shape Washington's policy direction before the transition takes full effect.