China-US relations: Xi warns Biden on Taiwan, urging ‘clear-eyed’ approach versus playing with ‘fire’
- Chinese leader stresses commitment to resisting ‘interference by external forces’ in self-governing island, alluding to possible Pelosi trip
- Two-hour call described as ‘candid, in-depth and constructive’, with both sides instructed to maintain communication, Chinese embassy adds
“The position of the Chinese government and people on the Taiwan question is consistent, and resolutely safeguarding China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the firm will of the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people,” he said.
“The will of the people cannot be defied and those who play with fire will perish by it,” Xi was quoted by the Chinese embassy in Washington as telling Biden in a phone call that lasted two hours and 15 minutes on Thursday, according to the White House. “It is hoped that the US will be clear-eyed about this.”
Xi also told Biden that Washington’s assessment that China represents the most serious long-term challenge to the US was a misperception of the bilateral relationship and a misreading of China’s development.
“The two leaders basically discussed the fact that the United States and China have differences when it comes to Taiwan, but that they have managed those for over 40 years, and that keeping an open line of communication on this issue is essential to continuing to do so,” she said.
As has been the case since reports began circulating about Pelosi’s plans, the White House official would not comment on the House speaker’s trip, saying only that “no trip has been announced and as we said previously, it’s her decision”.
Despite the stern rhetoric, each leader viewed the conversation as “candid, in-depth and constructive”, the embassy said, adding that both sides had instructed their teams to maintain “communication and cooperation”.
