According to three current and former U.S. officials, Chinese President Xi Jinping straightforwardly informed President Joe Biden during their recent visit in San Francisco that Beijing intends to bring Taiwan back together with mainland China. However, the specific timeframe for this reunification has not yet been determined. During a collective gathering attended by several American and Chinese officials, Xi conveyed to Biden that China's inclination is to peacefully acquire Taiwan rather than resorting to the use of force, as reported by the authorities.
According to the two current and one former official informed on the discussion, the Chinese leader also mentioned the public forecasts made by U.S. military officers regarding Xi's alleged plans to annex Taiwan in either 2025 or 2027. The Chinese leader clarified to Biden that these projections were incorrect, as he has not specified a specific timeframe for such actions.
According to Chinese officials, before to the summit, they requested that Biden publicly affirm the United States' endorsement of China's objective of achieving peaceful reunification with Taiwan, while simultaneously expressing non-support for Taiwanese independence. The Chinese request was denied by the White House.
A representative from the National Security Council chose not to provide any comments.
The disclosures include previously undisclosed particulars of a pivotal encounter between the two leaders, aimed at mitigating hostilities between their nations.
Xi Jinping's discreet caution to Joe Biden, although not significantly divergent from his previous public statements regarding the reunification of Taiwan, captured the interest of American officials due to its timing amidst China's progressively assertive conduct towards Taiwan. This warning comes ahead of a potentially momentous presidential election in the autonomous democratic island, scheduled for next month.
Following the first release of this narrative, Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, released a statement urging bipartisan collaboration in order to discourage China.
"The reported account of this story is extremely unsettling," Graham stated. "I will collaborate with Senators from both the Democratic and Republican parties to promptly accomplish two objectives." Firstly, establish a comprehensive defense complement for Taiwan that is strong and resilient. Secondly, formulate stringent penalties prior to any potential invasion by China, which would be severe and impactful, to be imposed if they attempt to takeover Taiwan.
Insiders knowledgeable with the discussion between Biden and Xi characterized the Chinese leader as forthright and frank, although not inclined towards conflict.
"His language remained consistent with his previous statements." He consistently adopts a stringent stance against Taiwan. "He has consistently maintained a firm stance," stated a U.S. official familiar with the discussion.
The Biden administration officials are deeply concerned by Xi's hardline stance on Taiwan, as they are making vigorous efforts to prevent a military confrontation with China.
During the previous year's Chinese Communist Party Congress, Xi officially declared that China will engage in military aggression against Taiwan in the event that it declares independence with the backing of foreign nations. The Chinese leader emphasized that the use of force is specifically aimed at countering external influence and a small number of individuals advocating for Taiwanese independence.
Xi, who aims to achieve a twofold increase in the magnitude of the Chinese economy by 2035, further emphasized the imperative of persistently prioritizing economic advancement. Several observers question the likelihood of China launching an attack on Taiwan in the absence of a declaration of independence, as such a military war would certainly hinder Beijing's ability to achieve its economic objectives.
According to U.S. officials, Xi highlighted apprehensions on the candidates participating in the next presidential election in Taiwan during the summit in San Francisco. Xi also acknowledged the significant impact exerted by the United States on Taiwan, as stated by them.
According to a U.S. official, when Biden requested that China honor Taiwan's election process, Xi replied by acknowledging the importance of peace but emphasizing that China must eventually work towards finding a solution.
The meeting between Biden and Xi, which occurred after a year, required many months of effort from American officials to arrange. This was due to the strained ties between Washington and Beijing, which deteriorated in February following the U.S. interception of a Chinese surveillance balloon. The White House anticipated that the meeting would alleviate tensions, and thereafter, Biden emphasized the imperative of evading violence.
"China and the United States are engaged in a competitive relationship, but it is my duty to ensure that this rivalry remains rational and controllable, so as to avoid any conflicts," stated Biden. "That is the essence of my being." This pertains to the subject at hand.
Earlier this year, CIA Director William Burns stated that U.S. data indicates that Xi has explicitly instructed his military to be prepared for a potential invasion of Taiwan by the year 2027. "However, this does not imply that he has made a decision to carry out an invasion in 2027 or any other year. Nevertheless, it serves as a reminder of the gravity of his determination and his aspirations," stated Burns.
Previously, Biden expressed the stance that the U.S. military would protect Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion. However, the White House has now retracted his statements.
According to its longstanding "One China" policy, the United States acknowledges Beijing as the only legitimate government of China, but maintains informal contacts with Taiwan, which Beijing asserts as part of its territory. The majority of the island's population, which amounts to 24 million people, support the idea of retaining the current state of affairs, which entails neither merging with China nor officially proclaiming independence.
Following the conference, Biden restated the enduring U.S. stance. "We uphold a consensus on the 'One China' policy," he stated, emphasizing his firm commitment to maintaining this stance. That statement will remain unchanged.
Hua Chunying, a Chinese official present at the meeting, subsequently shared on X that Xi had conveyed to Biden and other U.S. officials that the "Taiwan question continues to be the paramount and most delicate matter in China-U.S. relations." Hua emphasized that the United States should endorse China's peaceful reunification and acknowledged that China's reunification is an inevitable and unavoidable process.
Subsequently, two Chinese officials who were well-informed about the conversations contradicted the description of the encounter. However, Xi requested that the United States cease providing military support to Taiwan, refrain from meddling in China's domestic matters, and demonstrate tangible efforts to uphold its vow of not endorsing 'Taiwan independence'.
According to the two current and one former official informed on the discussion, the Chinese leader also mentioned the public forecasts made by U.S. military officers regarding Xi's alleged plans to annex Taiwan in either 2025 or 2027. The Chinese leader clarified to Biden that these projections were incorrect, as he has not specified a specific timeframe for such actions.
According to Chinese officials, before to the summit, they requested that Biden publicly affirm the United States' endorsement of China's objective of achieving peaceful reunification with Taiwan, while simultaneously expressing non-support for Taiwanese independence. The Chinese request was denied by the White House.
A representative from the National Security Council chose not to provide any comments.
The disclosures include previously undisclosed particulars of a pivotal encounter between the two leaders, aimed at mitigating hostilities between their nations.
Xi Jinping's discreet caution to Joe Biden, although not significantly divergent from his previous public statements regarding the reunification of Taiwan, captured the interest of American officials due to its timing amidst China's progressively assertive conduct towards Taiwan. This warning comes ahead of a potentially momentous presidential election in the autonomous democratic island, scheduled for next month.
Following the first release of this narrative, Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, released a statement urging bipartisan collaboration in order to discourage China.
"The reported account of this story is extremely unsettling," Graham stated. "I will collaborate with Senators from both the Democratic and Republican parties to promptly accomplish two objectives." Firstly, establish a comprehensive defense complement for Taiwan that is strong and resilient. Secondly, formulate stringent penalties prior to any potential invasion by China, which would be severe and impactful, to be imposed if they attempt to takeover Taiwan.
Insiders knowledgeable with the discussion between Biden and Xi characterized the Chinese leader as forthright and frank, although not inclined towards conflict.
"His language remained consistent with his previous statements." He consistently adopts a stringent stance against Taiwan. "He has consistently maintained a firm stance," stated a U.S. official familiar with the discussion.
The Biden administration officials are deeply concerned by Xi's hardline stance on Taiwan, as they are making vigorous efforts to prevent a military confrontation with China.
During the previous year's Chinese Communist Party Congress, Xi officially declared that China will engage in military aggression against Taiwan in the event that it declares independence with the backing of foreign nations. The Chinese leader emphasized that the use of force is specifically aimed at countering external influence and a small number of individuals advocating for Taiwanese independence.
Xi, who aims to achieve a twofold increase in the magnitude of the Chinese economy by 2035, further emphasized the imperative of persistently prioritizing economic advancement. Several observers question the likelihood of China launching an attack on Taiwan in the absence of a declaration of independence, as such a military war would certainly hinder Beijing's ability to achieve its economic objectives.
According to U.S. officials, Xi highlighted apprehensions on the candidates participating in the next presidential election in Taiwan during the summit in San Francisco. Xi also acknowledged the significant impact exerted by the United States on Taiwan, as stated by them.
According to a U.S. official, when Biden requested that China honor Taiwan's election process, Xi replied by acknowledging the importance of peace but emphasizing that China must eventually work towards finding a solution.
The meeting between Biden and Xi, which occurred after a year, required many months of effort from American officials to arrange. This was due to the strained ties between Washington and Beijing, which deteriorated in February following the U.S. interception of a Chinese surveillance balloon. The White House anticipated that the meeting would alleviate tensions, and thereafter, Biden emphasized the imperative of evading violence.
"China and the United States are engaged in a competitive relationship, but it is my duty to ensure that this rivalry remains rational and controllable, so as to avoid any conflicts," stated Biden. "That is the essence of my being." This pertains to the subject at hand.
Earlier this year, CIA Director William Burns stated that U.S. data indicates that Xi has explicitly instructed his military to be prepared for a potential invasion of Taiwan by the year 2027. "However, this does not imply that he has made a decision to carry out an invasion in 2027 or any other year. Nevertheless, it serves as a reminder of the gravity of his determination and his aspirations," stated Burns.
Previously, Biden expressed the stance that the U.S. military would protect Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion. However, the White House has now retracted his statements.
According to its longstanding "One China" policy, the United States acknowledges Beijing as the only legitimate government of China, but maintains informal contacts with Taiwan, which Beijing asserts as part of its territory. The majority of the island's population, which amounts to 24 million people, support the idea of retaining the current state of affairs, which entails neither merging with China nor officially proclaiming independence.
Following the conference, Biden restated the enduring U.S. stance. "We uphold a consensus on the 'One China' policy," he stated, emphasizing his firm commitment to maintaining this stance. That statement will remain unchanged.
Hua Chunying, a Chinese official present at the meeting, subsequently shared on X that Xi had conveyed to Biden and other U.S. officials that the "Taiwan question continues to be the paramount and most delicate matter in China-U.S. relations." Hua emphasized that the United States should endorse China's peaceful reunification and acknowledged that China's reunification is an inevitable and unavoidable process.
Subsequently, two Chinese officials who were well-informed about the conversations contradicted the description of the encounter. However, Xi requested that the United States cease providing military support to Taiwan, refrain from meddling in China's domestic matters, and demonstrate tangible efforts to uphold its vow of not endorsing 'Taiwan independence'.
