The United States and China exchanged stern warnings about Taiwan on Saturday, ahead of a virtual summit scheduled for Monday between US Presidents Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. In an interview with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken “expressed concern about the continued military, diplomatic and economic pressure of the People’s Republic of China against Taiwan,” according to a State Department statement. .
Joe Biden and Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet for the third time Monday evening Washington time (early Tuesday in Beijing) via video conference. The conversation between Antony Blinken and Wang Yi was meant to prepare for this summit. The head of US diplomacy “urged Beijing to engage in meaningful dialogue” to resolve its differences with Taipei “peacefully and in accordance with the wishes and interests of the people on Taiwan,” according to the State Department.
Biden criticized Xi’s absences from recent international summits
Wang Yi for his part warned the United States against any action that could be interpreted as support for “Taiwan independence”, according to a summary of the exchange published by the Chinese government. “Any connivance or support towards the forces for ‘Taiwan independence’ harms peace in the Taiwan Strait and can only boomerang,” the Chinese foreign minister warned. The Biden-Xi summit takes place as disputes accumulate between Washington and Beijing, each of which is firm on their positions on trade or human rights.
Tensions have escalated in recent weeks over Taiwan, which Beijing sees as a rebellious province that must return to its fold. Beijing has stepped up its actions in recent years to isolate Taiwan on the international stage and stop any attempt to recognize the island as an independent state. China has also stepped up its military activity near Taiwan. And Washington reiterated its commitment to help Taipei build and strengthen its defense.
Monday’s summit “provides an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss how to responsibly handle competition between the United States and the People’s Republic of China, while working together in areas where interests align,” said the State Department. The American president has never hidden his desire to meet the Chinese leader in person, and did not hesitate to criticize his absence during the recent G20 and COP26 summits. But he must be satisfied with a virtual meeting with Xi Jinping, who has not left China for nearly two years, citing health reasons.
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