ISTANBUL

Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te has called on US President Donald Trump to help convince China to “permanently renounce the use of force” against Taiwan.

“If he is able to convince” Chinese President Xi Jinping on it, Lai said in an interview with US-based conservative podcast The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton, “President Trump will surely win the Nobel Peace Prize.”

China considers Taiwan a “breakaway province” and has not ruled out use of force to achieve full unification with the mainland, which is separated from Taiwan by the Taiwan Strait.

Taipei has insisted on its independence since 1949.

Lai reiterated that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait “are not subordinate to each other.”

“Taiwan is not a part” of China and “China does not have the right to invade Taiwan,” Lai said, according to a transcript of the interview released by Taiwan.

His remarks come amid media reports that Beijing is seeking an official US declaration opposing Taiwan independence.

The world’s two largest economies are currently engaged in tariff negotiations, with Xi and Trump expected to meet in South Korea on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit later this month.

Lai also criticized China’s military exercises around Taiwan and said they are “undermining peace and stability in the region.”

“The fact that the Taiwanese people seek to protect their sovereignty and pursue a way of life based on democracy, freedom, and human rights should not be seen as a provocation against China,” said.

Taiwan celebrates its national day on Oct. 10.

“Even though Taiwan is facing increasing threats from China, Taiwan has not given up on seeking peace and mutual prosperity across the strait. We understand that peace is priceless and that there are no winners in war,” Lai stressed.

“Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are essential elements of global security and prosperity. Our pursuit of peace is an ideal, not a fantasy. We believe that to achieve peace, there must be strength.”