China has warned the U.S. that Taiwan will dominate next month’s summit in Beijing, raising pressure on Washington and concern in Taipei over any shift in long-standing American policy.
The move marks a sharp increase in diplomatic pressure ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit. The two leaders avoided the issue at their previous summit in South Korea last year, but Beijing is now forcing it to the forefront, heightening concern in Taipei.
Taiwan’s government is watching closely for any sign that Trump - whose transactional approach to foreign policy has unsettled allies - might soften longstanding U.S. security commitments in exchange for trade concessions from China, such as large purchases of U.S. aircraft or agricultural goods.
From Beijing’s perspective, the summit is an opportunity to draw a clear red line.
"Regarding Taiwan, the logic is simple: if the US does not want to fight a major war with China over Taiwan, it should not support Taiwan independence," said Wu Xinbo, dean of Fudan University’s Institute of International Studies and a policy adviser to China’s foreign ministry.
"Trump has no interest in going to war with China. To avoid a major conflict that involves the US, he should make it clear that he won't support independence or take actions that encourage a separatist political agenda."
China’s foreign ministry reinforced the message, describing Taiwan as the country’s absolute "core of core interests" and the foundation of China-U.S. relations. It added: "'Taiwan independence' and peace in the Taiwan Strait are as incompatible as fire and water."
Both sides remain in contact over the summit agenda, though the U.S. State Department declined to comment.
Washington’s position remains delicate. The U.S. follows a “one China policy,” acknowledging but not accepting Beijing’s claim over Taiwan. While it does not support formal independence, it is legally committed to helping Taiwan maintain self-defence capabilities.
Analysts warn that even subtle changes in U.S. language could have significant consequences - affecting Beijing’s assessment of U.S. resolve, unsettling Taipei and raising questions about wider American commitments in Asia.
Trump administration officials insist there has been no change in U.S. policy and continue to criticise China’s military and economic pressure on Taiwan.
Privately, officials say Trump has approved more arms sales to Taiwan in just over a year of his second term than Joe Biden did during his presidency.
Beijing, however, is pushing for a shift in wording. At a 2024 summit, Xi asked the U.S. to change its position from “does not support” Taiwanese independence to “we oppose Taiwan independence.” Washington declined.
Sources involved in preparations for the Beijing summit say China has continued to press this point.
Taiwanese officials remain cautious. "We will be watching whether the US makes any changes to its position on Taiwan Strait issues as a result of that meeting," said Shen Yu-chung, deputy minister at Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council.
"We will use the remaining time to intensify policy communications with the US."
Taiwan’s foreign ministry also sought to reassure the public, noting that since Trump returned to office, his administration "has continuously reaffirmed its support for Taiwan".
China has not ruled out using force to bring Taiwan under its control and has stepped up pressure ahead of the summit.
In December, the People’s Liberation Army conducted large-scale military exercises around the island following a U.S. announcement of an $11 billion arms package for Taipei. More recently, Beijing has offered economic incentives, including trade and tourism measures.
Tensions have also extended into diplomacy. Taipei accused China of pressuring three African countries to deny overflight rights for President Lai Ching-te’s planned visit to Eswatini, leading to its cancellation.
Lai, who says Taiwan is already a sovereign state known as the Republic of China, is viewed by Beijing as a “separatist.”
In response, Raymond Greene, the top U.S. diplomat in Taiwan, has said American commitments remain “rock solid,” including those under the Taiwan Relations Act.
Former Trump adviser Robert O’Brien also rejected suggestions of a policy shift. "He would not become the first American president to lose Taiwan," he said. "That would not be a Donald Trump goal to have in mind. That's not the legacy he wants."
Beyond diplomacy, Taiwan holds significant strategic value for the United States.
Its location makes it a key intelligence asset. U.S. monitoring systems on the island, including radar and listening posts, provide insight into Chinese military activity.
"Does the United States really want to lose one of its best locations for gathering intelligence on China?" a Western security source said.
As the summit approaches, even minor changes in tone or language could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability.
President Donald Trump has said the U.S. has “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran warns the key waterway will not reopen while Washing...
An overnight Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk killed an eight-year-old child, injured others and damaged resid...
Iran will soon join the New Development Bank (NDB), the lender established by BRICS nations, Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati said in a state ...
One hundred years after the First World War and more than eighty years after the devastation of the Second World War gave rise to the United Nations, humanity once again finds itself living in an age of permanent crisis.
Iran said it was nearing a final pact with Oman defining new shipping lanes between them through the Strait of Hormuz but repeated that the U.S. must meet other conditions.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called for Iran to pay compensation for decades of deaths and damage, adding a new demand to peace talks as Tehran seeks compensation and sanctions relief before reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
A criminal court in Damascus has sentenced former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia for premeditated murder, torture, arbitrary detention and crimes against humanity, according to Syria’s state news agency SANA.
President Donald Trump has said the U.S. has “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran warns the key waterway will not reopen while Washington maintains its naval blockade.
Millions of people across Spain and Iceland are preparing on Wednesday to witness a rare total solar eclipse, when the moon will pass directly between Earth and the Sun, briefly turning daylight into darkness along a narrow path.
Ukraine has agreed to refrain from targeting certain tankers using Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk following a request from U.S. Vice President JD Vance, the Financial Times reported, although Kyiv has continued strikes on Russian targets at the port.
Taiwan has criticised a planned joint naval exercise involving China and Indonesia near its eastern waters, describing it as a politically charged move designed to strengthen Beijing's claims over areas surrounding the island.
An overnight Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk killed an eight-year-old child, injured others and damaged residential buildings, port infrastructure and grain facilities, Russian officials and industry sources said on Wednesday.
Romanian military divers have destroyed two Gerbera-type drones found drifting near the Neptun Deep offshore gas development in the country’s Black Sea exclusive economic zone.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment