Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) says Taiwan continues to communicate with the United States and maintains a cautiously optimistic attitude. That came on Tuesday, May 19, in response to U.S. media speculations about possible suspension of arms sales to Taiwan.

Ahead of his appearance before the Legislative Yuan, Koo was asked by the press about a recent New York Times report suggesting that following the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平), the United States may indefinitely delay arms sales to Taiwan.

Koo said that President Trump and other U.S. officials have recently stated that the country’s policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged. He added that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is central to U.S. interests in the region. Koo said Taiwan acts to maintain that peace and stability, while China undermines them, so arms sales to Taiwan are in the U.S. interest. Taiwan continues to communicate with the U.S. and maintains a cautiously optimistic attitude.