If “pro-Taiwan independence” forces crossed a “red line,” Chinese President Xi Jinping told US President Joe Biden that his nation would have to take “decisive actions.” Several state media from China made the assertion following a video conference between the two leaders.
The three-hour discussion on Tuesday was praised as “frank, productive, substantial, and beneficial” by the official Xinhua news agency (via ABC News Australia). Tensions between China and other nations have risen as the Chinese military has despatched a growing number of fighter planes near Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory.
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 15: U.S. President Joe Biden waves as he participates in a virtual meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Roosevelt Room of the White House November 15, 2021 in Washington, DC. President Biden met with his Chinese counterpart to discuss bilateral issues. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Both presidents exchanged cordial greetings despite the circumstances. Reports said Xi expressed his delight to meet his “old friend,” Biden. The US President said they never walked away wondering what the other guy was thinking. He went on to say that they would always speak to one other quite honestly and openly.
China Told US About ‘Playing With Fire’ on Taiwan
During a virtual session with his US colleague Joe Biden (via BBC), Chinese President Xi Jinping warned that backing Taiwanese independence would be “playing with fire.”
China’s state-owned media Mr. Xi attributed recent tensions to Taiwan’s efforts to seek US backing for their independence movement, as well as the aim of certain Americans to use Taiwan to control China.
Such actions are exceedingly harmful like playing with fire, Xi added. It said that anybody who plays with fire shall be burned.
Biden, meanwhile, strongly did not support unilateral activities to disrupt the status quo or frighten peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
U.S. Still Committed to One China Policy
Biden said that the United States still commits to the “One China” policy. Beijing acknowledged the statement but asked for informal interactions and military links with Taipei.
According to a White House statement acquired by DW, the US has frequently emphasized its support for Taiwan in the face of what Washington has termed as Chinese aggression. US Congress passed a law in 1979 mandating the US to provide Taiwan with self-defense weaponry. But Washington is wary about signaling its recognition of Taiwan.
Beijing regards the self-governing island as a Chinese province and has promised to subjugate it if necessary by force. China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as China’s vital interests, are at stake, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhao Lijian. The official went on to say that Taiwan is the most significant and sensitive topic in Sino-American ties.
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