The Taiwanese government has responded after US President Donald Trump's trip to China and his call for the two countries to "cool down". The Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, in a statement, its position of maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait "was clear"."It is self-evident that the ROC (Republic of China, Taiwan) is a sovereign democratic country," it said."Beijing has no right to claim jurisdiction over Taiwan."A Da Wu-class rescue and salvage ship sails as the Taiwan military demonstrates combat readiness. (Reuters: Ann Wang)Taiwan has been independent from mainland China in all but name since 1949, when Kuomintang leader Chiang Kai-Shek retreated to the island with the remnants of his army, refugees and many Chinese artefacts, as well as its gold, silver and dollar reserves. The island nation was ruled as a military dictatorship until the 80s before transitioning to democracy. It is now governed by the Democratic Progressive Party and led by President Lai Ching-te.The Taiwanese islands of Kinmen are located just 10 kilometres from the Chinese city of Xiamen. (Reuters: Ann Wang)Chinese President Xi Jinping previously named China's reunification with Taiwan as an objective and has not ruled out the use of military force to achieve it. US President Donald Trump said, following his visit to China, "nothing's changed"."I will say this, I'm not looking to have somebody go independent," Mr Trump said."We're supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war, I'm not looking for that."I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down."Arms sales to Taiwan were expected to be a topic of discussion during the Xi-Trump talks, but little has been revealed following the US president's state visit.