China’s leader Xi Jinping warned US President Donald Trump that conflict could erupt between their countries if the issue of self-governed Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own, is mishandled.
During their meeting in Beijing on Thursday, Xi told Trump that “the Taiwan issue is the most important issue in China-US relations,” adding, if mishandled, “the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy.”
Xi added the two countries should be “partners, not adversaries,” noting that “cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both.”
Trump and Xi discussed the war in the Middle East, the Ukraine conflict, and issues on the Korean Peninsula when they met in Beijing on Thursday, the Chinese government said.
“The two heads of state exchanged views on major international and regional issues, including the situation in the Middle East, the Ukraine crisis, and the Korean Peninsula,” according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry readout.
Xi Jinping told a delegation of US business executives that China would “open wider” to the world during US-China talks in Beijing on Thursday.
Chinese state media quoted Xi as saying: “US companies are deeply involved in China’s reform and opening up, and both sides have benefited from this.”
Noting that China’s door will only open wider, Xi said “China welcomes the United States to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation with China, and expressed belief that U.S. companies will enjoy even broader prospects in China.”
Meanwhile, Taiwan said the United States has expressed “clear and firm support” for the island democracy, as Trump meets Xi in Beijing.
“The US side has repeatedly reaffirmed its clear and firm support for Taiwan,” cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee told reporters.
For his part, Trump promised his Chinese counterpart that the two superpowers would have “a great future.”
“It is an honor to be with you, and it is an honor to be your friend,” Trump said during the meeting held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. “The relationship between China and the United States will be better than ever.” (AFP)
