Xi Jinping warned Donald Trump of potential 'clashes and even conflicts' over Taiwan during their meeting in Beijing, emphasizing Taiwan as a critical issue in US-China relations. Beijing seeks reduced US support for Taiwan, which it claims as its territory.
Key points
Xi warned Trump of potential clashes over Taiwan
Taiwan is crucial in US-China relations
Beijing wants reduced US support for Taiwan
Other topics included Middle East war and Ukraine conflict
Human rights are unlikely to be discussed
Mentioned in this story
Xi JinpingDonald TrumpTaiwanChinaUS
Good morning.
On the western edge of Tiananmen Square in Beijing, in the imposing Mao-era Great Hall of the People, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping sat down this morning for two hours of talks.
After the meeting, China’s foreign ministry published Xi’s remarks. He said Taiwan was “the most important issue in China-US relations” and warned of “clashes and even conflicts” with the US over its future.
Beijing wants the US to reduce its levels of support for Taiwan, a self-governing island that China claims as part of its territory. Xi has made “unification” with Taiwan a core priority for his legacy and has not ruled out the use of force.
What elsewas on the agenda? The Chinese government said the two leaders discussed the war in the Middle East, the Ukraine conflict and issues on the Korean peninsula. As my colleagues Amy Hawkins and David Smith have written, the US is entering into talks with its superpower rival from a vulnerable position.
What is unlikely to be discussed? Unlike under previous US administrations, the visit is not expected to focus on human rights or US-China cooperation to tackle the climate crisis.
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Q&A
What did Xi Jinping say about Taiwan during the meeting with Trump?
Xi Jinping warned of potential 'clashes and even conflicts' with the US over Taiwan, highlighting it as the most important issue in US-China relations.
Why is Taiwan a critical issue in US-China relations?
Taiwan is viewed by China as a part of its territory, and Beijing seeks to reduce US support for the self-governing island, making it a core priority for Xi Jinping.
What other topics were discussed during the Trump-Xi meeting?
The leaders discussed the war in the Middle East, the Ukraine conflict, and issues on the Korean peninsula.
What is unlikely to be addressed in US-China talks under the current administration?
Unlike previous administrations, the current talks are not expected to focus on human rights or climate crisis cooperation.
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