Taiwan–United States relations

China has issued a strong warning to the United States, labeling Taiwan as the "first red line that cannot be crossed" in their bilateral relations. The warning follows the White House's announcement of a significant arms package and military assistance to Taiwan, totaling 1.3 million in weapons and training.

China on Dec. 5 urged the United States to "stop sending wrong signals" over Taiwan, after the announcement that Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson held a call with the self-ruled island's President Lai Ching-te.

Lai is currently visiting the American territory Guam during a Pacific tour that has angered China.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te discussed "China's military threats" toward the island in a call with former U.S. House speaker Nancy Pelosi on Dec. 1, drawing a fresh barrage of criticism from Beijing.

Pelosi's long-standing support for Taiwan has infuriated China, which responded to her visit to Taipei in 2022 with massive military drills around the island.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said in the United States on Sunday that we have to "fight together to prevent war", as he kicked off a week-long tour of the Pacific that has sparked fiery rhetoric from Beijing.

The US State Department has expressed significant concerns about the recent military exercises conducted by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding regions. In an official statement, the department described the PLA's actions as unnecessary and a potential catalyst for heightened tensions in the area.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said Wednesday that China was attempting to force the self-ruled island into submission but that it would not bow to pressure.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it will never renounce the use of force to bring it under Beijing's control.

An outdoor screen shows a news coverage of China's military drills around Taiwan, in Beijing on May 23, 2024.

China warned on Friday that Taiwan's leadership was pushing the self-ruled island into "a perilous situation of war and danger" and that it would go "further" if provoked, as Beijing conducted military drills around the territory.

New Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Monday hailed the arrival of a "glorious era" for the island's democracy, as he called on China to cease political and military intimidation.

In an inauguration speech, Lai also directly addressed the threat of war following years of growing pressure from China's to bring Taiwan under mainland rule.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun via video teleconference Tuesday, in the first substantive talks between the superpowers' defense chiefs in nearly 18 months.

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday met U.S. delegates who arrived on the island on the heels of an election won by a pro-sovereignty candidate who Beijing said would bring war to the self-ruled island.