Taiwan to keep US arms sales on track before Trump-Xi meeting

Taiwan will maintain close contact with the US to implement arms sales as planned, a defense ministry official said Wednesday, ahead of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington this week. Deputy spokesperson Chiao Fu-chun said in Tainan that Indo-Pacific security is a "common interest of democratic nations," citing US government and congressional support for Taiwan's self-defense. China views Taiwan as its own territory and has repeatedly demanded an end to US arms sales. Trump approved an $11 billion arms package in December, but a second $14 billion package remains on hold since May. Taiwan also showcased its domestically made armored vehicles and US-supplied weapons, while China continues daily military operations around the island.