Taipei: “Reunification” with China is “not an option” for Taiwan, Premier Cho Jung-tai said Tuesday after Chinese government media reported that the issue was brought up in a telephone call between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and United States President Donald Trump. “We have noted this significant international exchange, but we must reiterate that the Republic of China, Taiwan, is a fully sovereign and independent country,” Cho said at the Legislature when asked by reporters to comment on the issue.

According to Focus Taiwan, Trump and Xi spoke over the telephone Monday to discuss various issues. In a social media post, Trump made no mention of Taiwan, saying instead that he and Xi discussed Ukraine, fentanyl, a recent deal on agricultural products, and forthcoming bilateral visits by him and Xi. However, Xinhua reported that Xi told Trump that “Taiwan’s reunification with China” is an important component to the post-war international order, and Trump replied that the U.S. acknowledged Taiwan’s importance to China.

Cho emphasized Taiwan’s critical importance to the international community in terms of regional security and technological and economic development. Maintaining the status quo is therefore something the world is collectively focused on. “China cannot undermine this status quo in any way,” he said, adding that this is why Taiwan has been strengthening its defense capabilities and standing with like-minded democratic nations.