NEW DELHI: Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued a direct warning to U.S. President Joe Biden, conveying China’s firm intention to reunify Taiwan with the mainland. The warning was reportedly delivered during a recent summit in San Francisco, where Xi emphasized China’s preference for a peaceful resolution rather than resorting to the use of force.
He also refuted predictions by some U.S. military leaders regarding a specific timeline for the reunification, asserting that no such timeframe has been established.
Leading up to the summit, Chinese officials had sought public support from Biden for China’s goal of peaceful reunification with Taiwan while opposing Taiwanese independence. However, the White House reportedly denied this request.
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The timing of Xi’s warning holds significance amid heightened tensions between China and Taiwan, particularly with an upcoming presidential election in the self-governing democratic island next month. The U.S. National Security Council has refrained from commenting on the matter, underscoring the delicate diplomatic balance between the U.S. and China concerning the sensitive issue of Taiwan amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region.
During the summit, Xi expressed concerns about Taiwan’s presidential candidates and highlighted U.S. influence on Taiwan. Despite Biden’s call to respect Taiwan’s electoral process, Xi advocated for an eventual resolution. The meeting aimed at reducing tensions between the two nations, with Xi’s straightforward communication style noted but not deemed confrontational.
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U.S. officials have raised concerns about China’s increasingly aggressive behavior towards Taiwan. Senator Lindsey Graham has called for bipartisan action, expressing unease about the reported information. CIA Director William Burns has indicated intelligence suggesting Xi’s directive for military readiness to invade Taiwan by 2027, although the White House has walked back Biden’s previous assertion of U.S. military defense for Taiwan.
The U.S. maintains the “One China” policy but maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan. Post-summit, Biden reiterated the commitment to the existing policy, while a Chinese official, Hua Chunying, affirmed Xi’s emphasis on the Taiwan issue as crucial in China-U.S. relations, stating China’s determination for peaceful reunification.