2 hours and 20 minutes of phone call... President Xi requests clear stance on Taiwan issue
Biden: "'One China' policy remains unchanged"
Emphasizes "We do not support Taiwan independence"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung, New York=Special Correspondent Jo Seulgina] Chinese President Xi Jinping warned during a phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden on the Taiwan issue, saying, "If you play with fire, you will be burned." Amid rising tensions between the two countries over Taiwan's autonomy ahead of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, Xi demanded a clearer view and stance from President Biden.
According to major media outlets including China's state-run People's Daily and Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 29th, President Xi said during the call with President Biden the previous day, "Resolutely safeguarding China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the firm will of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people," adding, "We cannot betray the people's will, and if you play with fire, you will be burned." He further stated, "China will firmly resist 'external forces' interference in Taiwan," and added, "We hope the United States will have a clear view on this issue."
President Xi also expressed willingness to improve and cooperate in bilateral relations. He said, "The U.S. assessment that China is the most serious long-term threat to the United States is a misunderstanding of bilateral relations and a misperception of China's development." The state-run People's Daily reported that Xi emphasized, "The current global economic situation is full of challenges," and "China and the United States must maintain communication on major issues such as macroeconomic policy coordination, maintaining stability of global industry and supply chains, and safeguarding global energy and food security."
The People's Daily reported the content of the leaders' phone call in relatively detailed terms centered on President Xi's remarks. In particular, it stated, "The two leaders had frank communication and exchanges on China-U.S. relations and mutual concerns," while emphasizing that President Xi stressed China's principled position on the Taiwan issue.
Regarding the Taiwan issue, the People's Daily reported that President Biden said, "The One China policy has not changed and will not change in the future," and "I want to reiterate that the United States does not support Taiwan independence." He also said, "The world is at an important moment today," and "China-U.S. cooperation benefits not only the peoples of both countries but also other nations." Additionally, the two leaders exchanged views on the Ukraine situation, and President Xi reaffirmed China's principled position, the People's Daily added.
Meanwhile, according to the White House, the phone call between President Xi and President Biden began at 8:33 a.m. (local time) and lasted about 2 hours and 20 minutes. Regarding the somewhat strong expression like "playing with fire," White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said, "Chinese leaders used similar language in the November talks," and declined to further comment on the metaphor's interpretation. However, she explained, "The two leaders fundamentally have differences on Taiwan, but they have known each other for over 40 years," describing the call as "honest, deep, and constructive."
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