China’s president has warned Joe Biden against ‘playing with fire’ over Taiwan as tensions rise following a rumored US visit to the disputed island.
Xi Jinping and his American counterpart spoke for more than two hours on Thursday as Beijing raised concerns about a possible trip to island claimed by China by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
According to Chinese state media, Xi said the United States should respect the “one-China principle” and stressed that he firmly opposes Taiwan independence and interference by outside forces.
Beijing has issued growing warnings of the repercussions if Ms Pelosi – a leading Democrat like Mr Biden – surrenders Taiwanwhich says it faces growing Chinese military and economic threats.
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“Those who play with fire will only get burned,” Chinese state media quoted Mr. Xi as saying to Mr. Biden.
“(We) hope the US side can see this clearly.”
The White House released its own description of the conversation on Taiwan, saying Mr. Biden “emphasized that United States policy has not changed and that the United States strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait”. .
According to US officials, the appeal had a broad agenda that included Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which China has yet to condemn.
When the pair spoke in March, Mr Biden warned of ‘consequences’ if Beijing gave material support to Russia’s war – and the US government believes the red line has not been crossed since then.
However, the swap was another chance to manage competition between the world’s two largest economies, whose ties have been increasingly clouded by tensions over democratically-ruled Taiwan, which Mr. Xi has pledged to reunite with the mainland, by force if necessary.
Washington has no official relations with Taiwan and follows a “one China policy” which diplomatically recognizes Beijing, not Taipei.
But he is required by US law to give the island the means to defend itselfand pressure is mounting in Congress for more explicit support.
“It’s about keeping the lines of communication open with the Chinese president, one of the most important bilateral relationships we have, not just in this region but around the world, because it touches so much,” he said. the White House national security spokesperson. John Kirby told reporters before the call.
It was a view echoed by former UK national security adviser Lord Darroch, who welcomed the talks.
He told Sky News: “China is both the second largest economy in the world, a great trading partner for the West and, in fact, the global workshop for a very large number of products and goods. industrial.
“But it’s also a strategic challenge. He’s intimidating his neighbors and he’s sided with Putin on Ukraine.
“I still think there is a chance to put China in a position over the next few years where it will be a constructive member of the international community, but I fear there is plenty to worry about. “
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