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The self-governing island was the "most important issue" in bilateral relations between Washington and Beijing...
The sensitive issue of Taiwan loomed large over a key meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday. Chinese officials, in a statement released after the lengthy meeting, said Xi “stressed to President Trump that the Taiwan issue is the most important issue in China-US relations.”
In contrast, a White House official did not mention Taiwan at all in the statement to the media, while noting that the leaders discussed keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, China's purchase of American agricultural products and stopping the flow of chemical ingredients for fentanyl.
U.S. allies were concerned that Trump might end up withdrawing U.S. support for Taiwan, perhaps unintentionally, during the summit with Xi. U.S. policy toward Taiwan has long been to recognize Taiwan as separate from the People’s Republic of China, which considers the island part of its territory. The island’s semiconductor industry is vital to the Trump administration’s efforts to create a secure supply chain for the U.S. technology sector.
"If handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will face clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship at great risk," the Chinese statement warned regarding Taiwan, which is a self-governing island.
Beyond Taiwan, Beijing's comments also underscored China's delicate balance regarding Iran, which the US and Israel attacked in late February, causing Tehran to close a critical sea corridor that has hindered the flow of oil and gas, Politico reports.
China remains one of Iran's main economic backers and a significant buyer of Iranian oil, but it also depends heavily on stable energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz and has sought to avoid a broader regional conflict that could harm global trade and its economic interests.
The White House official, who described the Trump-Xi meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing as “good,” said Xi “made clear China’s opposition to the militarization of the strait and any efforts to impose tariffs on its use,” “expressed interest in buying more American oil to reduce China’s dependence on the strait in the future,” and “agreed that Iran should never have nuclear weapons.”
During the meeting, which lasted more than two hours, the leaders also discussed strengthening economic cooperation, expanding market access for American businesses in China and Chinese investment in American industries, according to the US official.
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