In a high-stakes summit held in San Francisco, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a stark message to President Joe Biden regarding the future of Taiwan, according to three current and former U.S. officials.
In a group meeting attended by a dozen American and Chinese officials, Xi asserted China’s intention to reunify Taiwan with the mainland, emphasizing that the timing had not yet been decided.
Despite the strong language, Xi clarified China’s preference for a peaceful reunification rather than resorting to force. This revelation sheds light on the complex dynamics at play between the two global powers.
The Chinese leader debunked speculations made by U.S. military leaders predicting a specific timeline for taking Taiwan, stating that such assumptions were erroneous as he had not set a timeframe, NBC News reported.
Notably, Chinese officials had requested President Biden to publicly endorse China’s goal of peaceful unification with Taiwan and disavow support for Taiwanese independence. However, the White House rejected this request.
The behind-the-scenes details of this critical meeting offer unprecedented insights into the delicate dance between the United States and China, aiming to ease tensions between the two nations.
Xi’s direct warning to Biden, while aligning with his previous public statements on Taiwan, drew attention due to the heightened aggressiveness of China’s behavior towards Taiwan and the upcoming presidential election on the democratic island.
Reacting to the revelations, Senator Lindsey Graham called for bipartisan action to deter China, emphasizing the need for a robust defense for Taiwan and proposing pre-invasion sanctions if China takes action to seize Taiwan.
Officials familiar with the conversation described Xi as blunt and candid, though not confrontational.
A U.S. official familiar with the discussion noted, “His language was no different than what he has always said. He is always tough on Taiwan. He’s always had a tough line.”
Xi’s saber-rattling on Taiwan has been a persistent concern for the Biden administration, actively seeking to avoid a military conflict with China. Xi previously stated publicly at the Chinese Communist Party Congress that China would resort to military action if Taiwan declares independence with foreign support.
The revelations also shed light on Xi’s economic goals, aiming to double the size of the Chinese economy by 2035. Some experts speculate that China might refrain from attacking Taiwan unless it declares independence, as a military conflict could hinder Beijing’s economic objectives.
During the San Francisco summit, Xi expressed concerns about the presidential candidates in Taiwan’s upcoming election and acknowledged the influence the U.S. holds on the island. When Biden urged respect for Taiwan’s electoral process, Xi emphasized the need to move towards a resolution eventually.
The summit, months in the making, was crucial in thawing tensions between Washington and Beijing, particularly after a significant incident in February when the U.S. shot down a Chinese spy balloon. Biden emphasized the competitive yet rational relationship between the U.S. and China, underscoring the need to avoid conflict.
CIA Director William Burns previously noted U.S. intelligence suggesting that Xi directed the military to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. While Biden asserted that the U.S. military would defend Taiwan in case of an invasion, the White House later walked back these comments.
Maintaining the longstanding “One China” policy, the U.S. recognizes Beijing as China’s legal government but maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan. After the summit, Biden reaffirmed this policy, stating, “We maintain an agreement that there is a ‘One China’ policy. I’m not going to change that. That’s not going to change.”
A Chinese official who attended the meeting, Hua Chunying, shared Xi’s perspective on X, asserting that the “Taiwan question remains the most important and most sensitive issue in China-U.S. relations.” Hua reiterated China’s stance on peaceful reunification, describing it as an unstoppable process. The chess game between China and Taiwan continues, with global ramifications hanging in the balance.
The Daily Netizen 
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