Xi urges Trump to explicitly oppose Taiwan independence
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on US President Donald Trump to state opposition to Taiwan independence, according to Beijing’s foreign ministry. Analysts cited in the report said such a position would represent a change in Washington’s long-standing approach and could imply greater restraint over American arms sales to Taiwan.
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged US President Donald Trump to explicitly oppose Taiwan independence during a meeting between the two leaders on Thursday, according to a statement from China’s foreign ministry. The ministry said Xi hoped the United States would “adhere to the correct position of opposing ‘Taiwan independence’”. The statement did not provide further details of the exchange in the supplied material.
Analysts said an explicit US opposition to Taiwan independence would require a shift in Washington’s long-standing position. They also said it could lead to greater restraint in US arms sales to Taiwan. The reported appeal places the issue of Taiwan’s political status at the centre of the leaders’ discussions.
The source material does not specify how Trump responded to Xi’s request, or whether the United States agreed to alter its policy.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.