MOFA rejects Xi remarks on Taiwan during U.S. visit

Taipei, Sept. 25 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Friday rejected remarks on Taiwan made by Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) during his state visit to the United States, accusing Beijing of "distorting facts" to advance its positions and claims.

According to a Chinese Foreign Ministry readout of Xi's closed-door meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday (Washington time), Xi said Beijing's position on "safeguarding national unification and territorial integrity" was clear.

"We hope the U.S. will uphold the correct position of opposing 'Taiwan independence' and handle the Taiwan question prudently," the readout added.

In response, MOFA said the Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan's official name) and the People's Republic of China (PRC, China's official name) are not subordinate to each other and that Taiwan's sovereignty belongs to its people.

MOFA added that the Chinese side was using its usual tactic of "distorting facts."

Such a tactic was used by Beijing to "unilaterally convey its positions and claims," MOFA said.

"Taiwan's future can only be decided jointly by the people of Taiwan through democratic means," the ministry added.

MOFA also noted that more than 60 bipartisan U.S. senators and representatives had voiced support for Taiwan.

Taiwan will continue working closely with the U.S. and other like-minded partners to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and promote a free, open and prosperous region, it added.

The White House had not issued a readout of the meeting as of Thursday night U.S. time.

The ongoing three-day state visit, from Sept. 23 to 25 (U.S. time), marks Xi's first trip to the White House in 11 years and his second meeting with Trump this year, following their summit in Beijing in May.