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US puts Taiwan in focus in countdown to Xi-Biden summit
- In talks with Wang Yi on the weekend, Blinken urges Beijing to consider wishes and interests of the island’s people
- Beijing and Washington need to reach new deal to prevent armed conflict, analyst says
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The US’ top diplomat voiced concern about Beijing’s continued military, diplomatic and economic pressure against Taiwan in weekend talks ahead of a virtual summit between Xi Jinping and Joe Biden.
In a phone call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised concern about tensions in the Taiwan Strait, a topic that is expected to dominate the leaders’ meeting.
“[Blinken] urged Beijing to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve cross-strait issues peacefully and in a manner consistent with the wishes and best interests of the people on Taiwan,” US State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Sunday.
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Wang underlined China’s opposition to the US’ “recent inaccurate words and deeds” on the Taiwan issue and called on Washington to stop sending “wrong signals” to the self-ruled island’s “independence-leaning forces”.
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No change to US’ one-China stand on Taiwan, Blinken tells Wang Yi on G20 sidelines in Rome
No change to US’ one-China stand on Taiwan, Blinken tells Wang Yi on G20 sidelines in Rome
According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Blinken initiated the phone call to discuss preparations for the much-anticipated Xi-Biden meeting on Tuesday morning, Beijing time.
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