Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry thanked Washington for reaffirming that U.S. policy toward the self-governed island remained unchanged, following remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during Trump’s state visit to China.In a statement, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung expressed appreciation for repeated U.S. statements emphasizing peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

The ministry also accused Beijing of continuing military intimidation around the island through regular naval and air operations.“This demonstrates that Beijing is a major risk to current regional peace and stability,” the ministry said.Taiwan has emerged as the central flashpoint in increasingly strained U.S.-China relations, with Beijing claiming the democratically governed island as its territory and refusing to rule out the use of force to achieve unification.

Xi warned Trump during Thursday’s meeting that mishandling Taiwan-related disputes could push bilateral relations into a “dangerous place,” according to Chinese officials familiar with the talks.Rubio later told NBC News that it would be a “terrible mistake” for China to use force against Taiwan, reiterating Washington’s longstanding position supporting the island’s ability to defend itself.

Taiwan National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu endorsed Rubio’s comments in a post on X, stating that Taiwan was determined to “defend the status quo and deter aggression.”Taiwan’s defense ministry said seven Chinese warships were operating around the island during the previous 24 hours, although no Chinese military aircraft were detected.

A senior Taiwanese security official said the island occupied a critical position within the so-called “first island chain,” a strategic arc stretching from Japan through Taiwan to the Philippines that is viewed by Washington and its allies as central to Indo-Pacific security.

Taipei is also closely monitoring whether Beijing increases military deployments following the Trump-Xi summit and ahead of the second anniversary next week of President Lai Ching-te taking office, the official said.China’s Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The latest exchanges underscore how Taiwan remains one of the most sensitive and potentially destabilizing issues between Washington and Beijing despite efforts by both governments to stabilize broader ties through diplomacy and trade engagement.

Trump is scheduled to visit Beijing from Wednesday to Friday for high-level talks with Xi, where the issue of self-governed Taiwan is expected to feature prominently amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly refused to renounce the use of force to bring the island under its control. Beijing has increased military pressure on Taiwan in recent years through naval patrols, air incursions and large-scale military exercises around the island.Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said the government remained in close contact with Washington and was carefully monitoring preparations for the Trump-Xi meeting.

“We have also maintained continuous communication with the United States whether through public statements from the U.S. government or through non-public channels. We are confident in the stable development of Taiwan-U.S. relations,” Lin said.“The U.S. government has repeatedly expressed that its Taiwan policy will not change,” he added.

The United States maintains unofficial ties with Taiwan but is legally obligated under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide the island with defensive capabilities. Washington has long viewed peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait as central to Indo-Pacific security.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week that maintaining stability across the Taiwan Strait remained a priority for Washington.

At the same time, the United States has intensified pressure on allies and partners, including Taiwan, to increase military spending in response to growing geopolitical threats and expanding Chinese military capabilities.Taiwan’s opposition-controlled parliament last week approved a reduced special defense budget, falling short of the amount requested by the government.

A senior U.S. official said on Sunday that Washington was disappointed by the lower allocation, arguing the spending level did not fully match Taiwan’s security needs.Lin urged lawmakers to take corrective action to strengthen defense funding, saying deterrence depended on Taiwan’s ability to demonstrate credible self-defense capabilities.

“Peace depends on strength it requires demonstrating the defense capability for self-defense in order to deter aggression,” Lin said.He also accused China’s Communist leadership of accelerating military expansion and promoting authoritarian influence beyond its borders.

The Trump-Xi summit is expected to be closely watched by governments across Asia and the wider international community for indications of how the world’s two largest powers intend to manage growing strategic rivalry, particularly over Taiwan and regional security.

Taiwan’s Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim has made a rare and symbolic visit to Belgium, where she delivered an inspiring address to members of the European Parliament.

The visit marked one of the highest-level exchanges between Taiwan and Europe in recent years and reflected Taipei’s growing efforts to expand its international presence despite ongoing opposition from Beijing.

Hsiao’s trip to Brussels was centered around her participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China’s annual summit, where lawmakers from various nations gathered to discuss human rights, global democracy, and the challenges posed by authoritarian governance.

In her speech, Hsiao drew strong parallels between Taiwan’s determination to preserve democracy and Europe’s long-standing commitment to protecting freedom and human dignity.

“Europe has defended freedom under fire, and Taiwan has defended democracy under pressure,” Hsiao declared, earning praise from European lawmakers who commended Taiwan’s resilience in maintaining its democratic institutions despite constant pressure from China

“I stand here as a voice for a society deeply committed to the ideals that animate parliaments of democracy around the world,” she added.

The visit represents Taiwan’s growing confidence in asserting its democratic identity on the world stage.

While Taiwan’s only formal diplomatic partner in Europe remains the Vatican, many European countries such as France, Lithuania, Poland, and the Czech Republic have increasingly shown willingness to engage with Taiwan through informal but meaningful exchanges.

These interactions demonstrate Europe’s acknowledgment of Taiwan as a democratic partner that upholds shared values of freedom, human rights, and rule of law.

China’s reaction to the visit was predictably sharp. The Chinese Mission to the European Union issued a statement condemning Hsiao’s presence in Brussels, describing it as a “serious violation of the one-China principle” and accusing the island of undermining mutual trust between Beijing and the EU.

However, Taiwan’s government has firmly rejected Beijing’s claims, asserting its right to engage freely with the international community.

Taiwan’s presidential office emphasized that the vice president’s trip was part of ongoing diplomatic outreach to strengthen global partnerships.

Accompanied by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, Hsiao underscored that Taiwan’s participation in global conversations is both legitimate and necessary.

She noted that, despite being excluded from many international organizations, Taiwan continues to contribute to global development, humanitarian aid, and sustainability initiatives.

“Despite being excluded from international organizations, Taiwan has stepped up,” Hsiao stated. “We contribute to humanitarian aid and uphold global standards even when we are not allowed a seat at the table.”

Her message resonated with many in attendance, reinforcing Taiwan’s image as a responsible global actor committed to peace and cooperation.

Hsiao also highlighted the importance of stability across the Taiwan Strait, calling it a cornerstone of global prosperity. Her remarks reflected Taipei’s desire to maintain peace while promoting dialogue and mutual respect, even as China continues to increase its military and diplomatic pressure on the island.

The vice president’s visit follows a broader pattern of Taiwan’s increasing diplomatic activity in Europe. In September, Foreign Minister Lin visited Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Italy to deepen bilateral cooperation.

Former President Tsai Ing-wen is expected to visit Berlin next week to deliver a keynote address on democratic resilience and transatlantic unity.

These growing exchanges between Taiwan and European nations suggest a subtle but significant shift in global geopolitics. European countries are showing greater openness to engaging with Taiwan as part of their broader commitment to supporting democracies under threat.

While most European governments continue to adhere to the one-China policy formally, their willingness to interact with Taiwanese leaders reflects a pragmatic approach to international relations and a recognition of Taiwan’s contributions to global progress.

Hsiao Bi-khim’s visit thus stands as a powerful symbol of Taiwan’s diplomatic determination. It illustrates how the island, despite diplomatic isolation, continues to find meaningful ways to participate in the global dialogue on democracy, innovation, and peace.

For many observers, her presence in Brussels marks a new chapter in Taiwan-Europe relations — one grounded in shared principles, mutual respect, and a collective belief in the value of freedom.