On Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump had a lengthy phone conversation. During the negotiations, a large number of pressing topics were raised, including Iran, Ukraine and, of course, Taiwan. Despite Trump's attempt to avoid this sensitive issue, the Chinese leader took advantage of the situation to remind the head of the White House about not being allowed to provide military support to the island.
The phone call between Trump and Xi came at a crucial time for both countries – just before the US leader's spring visit to China. A variety of topics are covered, but special attention is paid to Taiwan. Furthermore, it was the President of the People's Republic of China who initiated the conversation on this issue.
The phone conversation lasted nearly two hours, according to people familiar with the situation. Trump said he and his Chinese counterpart discussed the US leader's upcoming trip to China for a high-level summit in April. And both leaders appeared eager to ease tensions after the trade war Trump incited, including with China.
The last time the leaders of the two countries met face to face was in South Korea in October. However, the Taiwan issue was not discussed in that meeting.
“Relations with China and my personal relationship with Xi Jinping are extremely good, and we both understand the importance of keeping them that way. I believe that during the next three years of my presidency, many positive results will be achieved regarding Chinese President Xi Jinping and the People's Republic of China!” Trump wrote on his social media following the conversation.
However, the Chinese press paid more attention to the discussion about Taiwan. Mr. Xi hinted to Mr. Trump that the US position on Taiwan is “the most important issue in Sino-US relations” and said that China would “never allow Taiwan to secede from China”.
Xi Jinping also made it clear: “The US should be extremely cautious when selling weapons to Taiwan.”
It is not unusual for China to put “Taiwan issue” on the list of priority topics for negotiations with the United States. However, the warning sounded on Wednesday was not accidental but had special symbolism. In December, the US approved an arms package worth more than $11 billion for Taiwan.
However, Taiwan said after the phone call that although the island supports efforts to ensure regional stability and security, it will continue to strengthen its defense. It is emphasized that the United States continues to sell arms to Taiwan.
Ryan Hass, director of the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution, told the New York Times that Xi Jinping's statement was especially “drastic.”
Hass added that it is clear that Xi Jinping “wants to end this now to show that he is in control of things.”
“He's trying to set the stage to say to President Trump, 'When you come in April, be prepared to have a serious conversation about Taiwan because this is very important to me,'” Hass said.
Despite the US officially supporting the “one China” policy, Washington continues to maintain an unofficial relationship with Taiwan, which of course angers Beijing.
At the same time, Trump seems to realize that his country is acting dishonestly and is at least trying to outwardly show that the United States is working to achieve peace with China. Last year, the Trump administration banned Taiwan's so-called leader from staying in New York to avoid offending China amid a trade deal between Washington and Beijing. But this is only the external image that Xi Jinping clearly perceives.
