Taiwan hopes new US arms sale package can be approved soon, president says

TAIPEI, June 18 - Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday he hoped a new U.S. arms sale package can be approved soon, and that Taiwan safeguarding its own security and refusing rule by China's Communist Party should not be seen as a provocation.

Democratically governed Taiwan is viewed by China as its own territory and Beijing has stepped up military and diplomatic pressure against the island.

But Taiwan has also been unnerved by comments last month from U.S. President Donald Trump after he met China's Xi Jinping in Beijing that he was still considering whether to approve new arms sales for Taiwan, saying they were a "very good negotiating chip" with China.

Speaking to the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents' Club in Taipei, Lai said the U.S. security commitment to Taiwan has not changed.

"The key is that Taiwan must not change course in strengthening its own defence capabilities, nor can it slow its pace," he said.

"We will continue to maintain close communication with the U.S. government, and we also hope the arms purchases can be approved as soon as possible."

China calls Lai a "separatist" and has rebuffed his multiple offers of dialogue.

Lai reiterated his desire for talks based on "parity and respect" with China, but said Taiwan had a right to protect its interests and that only the Taiwanese people can decide their future.

"Taiwan's safeguarding of its own national security and maintaining its democratic and free way of life, its refusal to accept unification, and its refusal to accept rule by the Chinese Communist Party should not be seen as a provocation against China," he added. REUTERS