Failure to Handle Taiwan Issue Could Lead to Conflict, Xi Warns Trump
Reuters Photo.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned U.S. President Donald Trump that the Taiwan issue is the most critical matter in Beijing–Washington relations.
Xi said that if the issue is handled properly, overall bilateral relations could remain stable. However, if it is mishandled, it could lead to confrontation or even conflict between the two countries, pushing China–U.S. relations into an extremely dangerous situation.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this information in a statement on Thursday following a high-level meeting between the top leadership of Washington and Beijing held at the Great Hall.
According to the statement, the two leaders discussed the current Middle East crisis stemming from the war involving Iran, as well as the complexities of the Russia–Ukraine conflict. They also exchanged views on major international and regional issues, including Taiwan and the Korean Peninsula.
After the two-hour meeting, Trump told reporters at the Temple of Heaven only that he had a “fantastic” discussion with Xi Jinping. He declined to answer follow-up questions on whether Taiwan had been discussed.
Meanwhile, Taipei Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee confirmed that the United States had reaffirmed its support for Taiwan.
The status of Taiwan was among the most sensitive issues discussed at the Trump–Xi summit. Speaking to reporters, Lee said the United States, as it has consistently done, once again reiterated its support for Taiwan.
Taiwan’s government considers itself a de facto sovereign state, with the United States as its principal international supporter. Beijing, on the other hand, claims the island of 23 million people as an inseparable part of its territory and has recently issued repeated threats to bring it under its control.
