Taiwan's Foreign Minister said China is attempting to create an impression that it jointly manages the Taiwan Strait with the United States, while warning of the need for allied cooperation to counter military risks from Beijing.
On 30 May 2026, Lin Chia-lung, Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated in Taipei that China is trying to change the existing status of the Taiwan Strait and is promoting the notion that China and the United States share a role in managing the Strait.
Lin Chia-lung said the rising tensions in the area do not originate from Taiwan but from China. He emphasized that Taiwan has no intention of changing the status quo and seeks to maintain peace and stability in the region. He added that Taiwan needs to work with the United States and allied countries along the first island chain in the Indo-Pacific region to prevent unexpected military movements by China.
The Taiwanese Foreign Minister also said that President Xi Jinping is trying to signal that China and the United States share responsibilities toward Taiwan and the Taiwan Strait. However, regional stability should be based on cooperation among democratic countries to deter the use of force.
Lin Chia-lung explained that the United States remains Taiwan's most important international partner, with shared interests across arms sales, trade, supply chains, and democratic values. He noted that Taiwan’s arms purchases from the U.S. not only strengthen its defense capabilities but also align with the United States' Indo-Pacific strategy.
Over recent periods, Taiwan has increased its defense budget, extended compulsory military service duration, and enhanced civil defense training to boost its self-defense capabilities amid growing military pressure from China.