This combo photo shows Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and US President Joe Biden. (PHOTOS / XINHUA / AP)
China firmly opposes separatist moves toward "Taiwan independence" and interference by external forces, and never allows any room for "Taiwan independence" forces in whatever form, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday.
Xi made the remark in a phone conversation with US President Joe Biden, in which both leaders had candid communication and exchanged views about bilateral ties and issues of common interest.
President Xi Jinping emphasized that the Chinese government and people have been consistent on the Taiwan question, and that resolutely safeguarding the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity is the firm will of the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people
He urged the US to honor its commitment to the one-China principle and fulfill its commitment to the three China-US joint communiques, which are the foundation of the bilateral ties.
Xi emphasized that the Chinese government and people have been consistent on the Taiwan question, and that resolutely safeguarding the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity is the firm will of the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people. "Those who play with fire will perish by it," he added.
The US should honor the one-China principle and implement the three joint communiques, both in word and deed, Xi said.
The phone call between the two presidents came as tensions between China and the US have risen recently amid reports that US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is considering a visit to Taiwan. China says the visit would be a violation of the US' commitment to not developing official exchanges with the island, which is part of Chinese territory. China has vowed to "take countermeasures" if the trip proceeds.
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Biden reiterated that the one-China policy of the US has not and will not change, and that the US does not support "Taiwan independence".
During the phone conversation, Xi underscored that to approach and define China-US relations in terms of strategic competition, and to view China as a primary rival and a most serious long-term challenge, would be a misunderstanding of China-US relations and a misreading of China's development, and would mislead the people of the two countries and the international community.
This undated file photo shows the national flags of China (right) and the United States as well as the flag of Washington DC on the Constitution Avenue in Washington DC. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
US President Joe Biden reiterated that the one-China policy of the US has not and will not change, and that the US does not support "Taiwan independence"
Xi underscored the need for China and the US to maintain communication on such important issues as coordinating macroeconomic policies, keeping global industrial and supply chains stable, and protecting global energy and food security.
Attempts to decouple or to sever supply chains in defiance of underlying laws would not help boost the US economy and would only make the world economy more vulnerable, he said.
Xi also said that, faced with a world of change and disorder, the international community and people around the world expect China and the US to take the lead in upholding world peace and security and in promoting global development and prosperity. This is the responsibility of China and the US as two major countries, he added.
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Biden said that US-China cooperation is beneficial not only for the two peoples, but also for people of all countries. The US hopes to keep open the lines of communication with China to enhance mutual understanding and avoid misunderstandings or miscalculations, and it will work with China where the interests of the two countries align and also properly manage differences, he added.
President Xi underscored the need for China and the US to maintain communication on such important issues as coordinating macroeconomic policies, keeping global industrial and supply chains stable, and protecting global energy and food security
The two presidents exchanged views on issues including the Ukraine crisis, with Xi reiterating China's principled position.
Both presidents viewed their call as candid and in-depth and agreed to stay in touch, and they instructed their respective teams to continue communicating and cooperating.
The two leaders' interaction followed a series of meetings between senior Chinese and US officials, including those between China's senior diplomat Yang Jiechi and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Luxembourg in June, and between State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Bali, Indonesia, this month.
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It was the fifth call between the two leaders since Biden took office in January 2021, with the previous one taking place in March.
In November, Biden promised Xi that the US does not seek a new Cold War with China, does not aim to change China's system, does not target China with its alliances, does not support "Taiwan independence" and has no intention of seeking a conflict with China.