Chinese President Xi Jinping warned his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, on Thursday, May 14, of a “conflict” between the two countries if Washington does not handle the Taiwan issue properly, according to Chinese state television.
“The Taiwan issue is the most important one in Sino-U.S. relations. If it is handled well, relations between the two countries can remain generally stable. If not, they will clash and may even enter into conflict,” Xi said, using a Mandarin term that does not necessarily mean “military conflict.”
Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday to begin two days of talks with the Chinese president. The U.S. leader was received this morning by Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, the building in Tiananmen Square that houses the National People’s Congress, the country’s parliament.
Among the topics under discussion are Iran, bilateral trade, Taiwan, and even a potential trilateral nuclear arms agreement between Washington, Beijing, and Moscow.
Beijing insists on a reduction in U.S. military support for Taiwan
The Taiwan issue looms large on the agenda given Beijing’s displeasure with the $11 billion U.S. arms package approved for the island. Xi insists that the issue “cannot be avoided” and is looking for signs, however subtle, of a reduction in U.S. support for the island.
Prior to the visit, a Chinese government spokesperson emphasized that China’s determination to oppose Taiwan’s independence is “as firm as a rock,” and that its ability to crush any attempt at secession is unshakable.
The comments came after a recent speech by Taiwan’s leader, William Lai Ching-te, at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, in which he stated that democracy is Taiwan’s “most precious asset” and that the Taiwanese people “know very well that democracy is won, not granted.”
“The Taiwanese people have never backed down in the face of growing external challenges and will never bow to pressure. Taiwan is a sovereign and independent nation (…). No attempt to isolate the country will alter our determination to participate in the international community,” the island’s leader further emphasized in a video message.
For more than seven decades, the United States (U.S.) has been a central player in the disputes between Beijing and Taipei. Washington is legally committed to providing Taiwan with the means necessary for its self-defense, and although it does not maintain diplomatic ties with the island, it could defend it in the event of a conflict with China.
In addition to addressing the issue of arms sales, Xi may also use the meeting with Trump to try to change Washington’s official position on Taiwan, either by promoting a statement opposing Taiwan’s independence or by seeking a formulation more favorable to the Chinese position on so-called “reunification.”
Xi has a reciprocal visit planned for later this year, which would be his first visit to the U.S. since Trump resumed office in 2025.
Source: SIC Notícias
