China’s head of state Xi Jinping used US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing to warn the US about Taiwan. At the start of the state visit lasting several days, both sides tried to achieve a more stable relationship between the world’s largest economies. At the same time, according to the state news agency Xinhua, Xi made it clear that if the Taiwan issue were handled poorly, there would be tensions or even conflicts between the two countries. This could put China-US relations in an “extremely dangerous situation,” he said.
China claims the island state as its own, but it has been governed independently and democratically for decades. Internationally, there have long been fears that the People’s Republic could annex the island. The USA plays an important role in relation to Taiwan – among other things because, despite great criticism from Beijing, it supplies Taiwan with weapons. While Xi’s statements about Taiwan leaked out, it initially remained unclear whether and what Trump responded. The topic of Taiwan did not appear in a statement from the White House about Trump’s visit.
Taiwan responded to the warning. “China’s military threats are the only source of instability in the Taiwan Strait and the wider Indo-Pacific,” government spokeswoman Michelle Lee said in Taipei. Taiwan is in close contact with the USA. Washington has repeatedly reiterated its clear and firm support for Taiwan.
Trump calls Xi a “friend”
Trump’s second state visit as US President – he had already been to China in 2017 – was actually marked by many warm words and an impressive backdrop. Xi received Trump with military honors at the Great Hall of the People in the heart of the Chinese capital. The imposing building traditionally serves the government as a reception and event location for political events. Both shook hands for a longer time. Trump also applauded children who were jumping and cheering as they held up small US flags and flowers. He later said that he thought the children were “great.”
The US President praised the host as a “great leader.” “Sometimes people don’t like it when I say it, but I say it anyway because it’s true,” Trump continued. “It’s an honor to be your friend.”
According to Trump, Xi’s return visit to the White House in Washington will take place on September 24th. The Republican announced the date of his invitation to the state banquet that evening. Xi described the relationship between the two countries as “the most important bilateral relationship in the world.”
Bitter trade conflict
The world’s two largest economies are embroiled in a bitter trade conflict. Host Xi said he believes the common interests between the US and China are greater than the differences. The respective success of both countries is an opportunity for the other, Xi said. Trump started a tariff dispute last year that escalated. A Xi-Trump meeting in South Korea in the fall brought a temporary tariff break. But the big hit didn’t happen at that time.
High-ranking US business representatives speak to Beijing
The US President was accompanied by a large business delegation, including tech billionaire Elon Musk and Apple boss Tim Cook. The head of chip manufacturer Nvidia, Jensen Huang, was also there. The semiconductors produced by the company are considered particularly important for the development of artificial intelligence. Nvidia boss Huang described the summit to journalists as “one of the most important in human history.”
The Iran war was an issue
The Iran war was also a topic of discussion. The USA has long been hoping for help from China in securing the Strait of Hormuz, which is important for the transport of oil and liquid gas. China is usually the largest buyer of Iranian oil and has an interest in unhindered trade. Beijing is also considered an important ally of Tehran.
According to Trump, Xi offered his help. “He would like to see a deal reached. And he offered, he said, ‘If I can help in any way, I would be happy to do that,'” Trump told Fox News.
The White House said at the meeting that both sides agreed that the strait must remain open for the transport of energy. Accordingly, Xi is said to have made clear China’s rejection of the militarization of the road and is also against charging for passage. He is also said to have shown interest in buying more American oil.
Xi: Be a partner and not an adversary
Xi told Trump that stable Sino-American relations are “good for the world.” Both sides should be partners and not opponents. He also raised the question of whether China and the US could create a “new model for great power relations.” Xi placed the relationship between the two countries in the context of a possible dangerous rivalry: He spoke of the “Thucydides Trap,” named after a historian of ancient Greece. This refers to the danger that a rising power and an established leading power will come into a dangerous confrontation.
Trump will meet with Xi again on Friday. He will then travel back to the USA.
