Taiwan's government, worried about being used as a pawn by China and the United States, said Monday the self-ruled island must protect its own interests as concerns in Taipei rise ahead of an expected meeting of the U.S. and Chinese leaders.
China has never renounced the use of force to take back what it deems a wayward province and has been pressuring Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, who leads an independence-leaning ruling party, to concede Taiwan is a part of China.
The United States is Taiwan's only major political ally and sole arms supplier.