Xi Jinping Warns of Increased Conflict if Taiwan Issue Is Mishandled During Meeting with Trump
Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that the Taiwan issue is the most critical aspect of US-China relations. He warned that if the situation regarding Taiwan is not managed properly, the relationship between the two countries could deteriorate into a dangerous state. The US has provided Taiwan with weaponry worth billions of dollars, an act that China has continuously opposed. April 14, Kathmandu.
According to China’s official news agency Xinhua, Xi raised the Taiwan issue during his meeting with former US President Donald Trump. Xi stated that with appropriate management of this matter, stability could be maintained between the US and China. He described Taiwan’s independence as fundamentally incompatible with peace in the Taiwan Strait, which he identified as the greatest shared interest between China and the United States.
Taiwan has long been one of the most sensitive topics between the US and China. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory, while the US has been providing Taiwan with military and political support. In recent years, the US has supplied Taiwan with arms packages worth billions of dollars, which China has persistently opposed.
Taiwan is a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its own, and it has not ruled out the possibility of using force to take control if necessary. In recent years, Beijing has increased its blockade and military drills around the island, causing concern among Taiwanese officials and their supporters. Last year, the Trump administration announced an $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan, provoking stern warnings and strong objections from China.
Taiwan remains a central topic of discussion between the two superpowers, and Taipei is closely monitoring the Trump-Xi meeting. According to Reuters, when asked about the summit in Beijing, Taiwanese government spokeswoman Michelle Lee expressed gratitude for the support received from the US. Experts suggest Taiwan was a key agenda topic during the meeting.
It is anticipated that Xi may have used the occasion to pressure Trump into halting arms sales to the autonomous island. US officials had previously confirmed that Taiwan would be discussed during talks between Xi and Trump. Beijing has repeatedly urged Washington to reduce arms sales to Taiwan. Washington, however, has stated its opposition to any attempt to seize control of the island by force and reaffirmed its commitment to supplying arms. The US supports a One China policy but maintains strong and informal relations with Taiwan. Additionally, the US has a legal obligation to provide Taiwan with the means necessary for its defense. Notably, Trump has also highlighted Taiwan’s closer geographical proximity to China’s coast than to the US. After meeting Xi last year in South Korea, Trump told reporters that the Taiwan issue had ‘never come up’ in their discussions.
