Taiwan is an internal matter for China, Beijing's foreign ministry said on Monday, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump saying Chinese President Xi Jinping told him he will not invade the island while Trump is in office.

BEIJING (Reuters) -China said on Monday it stands ready to work with the greatest effort for peaceful "reunification" with Taiwan, its foreign ministry said on Monday, responding to interview comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Tensions over Taiwan continue as China considers it an internal matter while Taiwan asserts independence. The U.S., Taiwan's key ally, is a significant player in the region. With President Trump's recent remarks,

China said on Monday it stands ready to work with the greatest effort for peaceful “reunification” with Taiwan, its foreign ministry said on

President Trump said Chinese leader Xi Jinping told him he wouldn’t make a move on Taiwan while Trump is in office. “I said, ‘Well, I appreciate that.’ But he also said, ‘But I am very patient, and China is very patient.

At his office in Taipei, Wu Chih-chung pulls out a small stack of papers titled Xi Jinping’s Gradual Move Toward Personal Dictatorship.