China's Warning on Taiwan Support vs. US Warning on Russia Support

US-China Leaders Face to Face, Differences Remain on Ukraine Solution
Xijinping Emphasizes Taiwan Support... Biden Focuses on Russia Aid

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Although the US and Chinese leaders met over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, their views on the Ukraine situation were distinctly different. China warned against US support for Taiwan independence, while the US warned China against supporting Russia.

Both countries agreed that the meeting involved direct, substantive, and in-depth exchanges of views. However, there was a difference in perspectives on how to resolve the Ukraine crisis. It was the first face-to-face meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in four months since November last year.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

China: Do not send wrong signals to Taiwan

The Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper, People's Daily, reported on the front page of the 19th that President Xi held a video summit with President Biden the previous night, exchanging frank and in-depth views on China-US relations, the Ukraine situation, and other shared concerns.

At the meeting, President Xi told President Biden, "Currently, China-US relations have not escaped the dilemma created by the previous administration (Trump administration) but are facing even more challenges," expressing a negative assessment of the current China-US relationship.

President Xi particularly pointed out that some US politicians are sending wrong signals to Taiwan separatists (independence advocates), creating a very dangerous situation. He further warned, "The US is misreading and misjudging China's strategic intentions," and emphasized that the US should pay sufficient attention to this issue. President Xi also told President Biden, "China and the US have differences," adding, "The key is to manage these differences and build a stable and developing relationship."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Regarding this, Lu Xiang, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, analyzed that President Xi's remarks on Taiwan were a signal to the US, conveying to President Biden that if China's core interest in Taiwan is provoked, there will be no friendly or positive cooperation between China and the US in the future.

President Xi also showed a different perspective from President Biden on resolving the Ukraine crisis. He stated, "The Ukraine situation is expanding in a direction China does not want," and added, "This issue should be resolved based on the UN Charter and other international laws." He emphasized, "The US and NATO should engage in dialogue with Russia to resolve Ukraine's security issues."

Chinese media reported that during the summit held the previous night, China focused on the Taiwan issue in discussions with the US side and emphasized its existing position opposing indiscriminate sanctions and advocating dialogue among the parties involved (Russia, the US, NATO) regarding the Ukraine issue.

US: Warning about consequences if China supports Russia

After the summit, the US White House stated in a press release that the meeting focused on Russia's unjust invasion of Ukraine. Unlike Chinese state media's interpretation focusing on the Taiwan issue, the US side explained that the meeting emphasized Russia's unjust invasion and the resulting sanctions imposed by the US and Western allies against Russia.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The White House said that during the summit, President Biden explained to the Chinese side the US's efforts so far to prevent Russia's invasion and future responses, including sanctions against Russia.

The White House added that President Biden emphasized to President Xi that Russia is carrying out brutal attacks on Ukraine and explained the consequences that would follow if China provides economic or military support to Russia. This was interpreted as a message that China could also face sanctions if it supports Russia.

A senior White House official said in a separate briefing, "President Biden made it clear that there will be consequences for those who assist Russia," and added, "While President Biden did not make specific demands to China, he conveyed the US position on the current situation." The official emphasized again, "We believe China will make its own decisions," and "President Biden stressed that if China supports Russia, it will face consequences not only from the US but globally."

The White House also mentioned the Taiwan issue, which China prominently raised during the meeting. The White House explained that President Biden conveyed to President Xi that the US policy toward Taiwan has not changed and that the US opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo.

Regarding Taiwan, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that at the start of the summit, President Biden told President Xi that 50 years ago, the US and China made an important choice, resulting in the 'Shanghai Communique (China-US Joint Communique: respecting the One-China principle).'

It also reported that the US does not intend to change China's system and does not support Taiwan independence, stating it has no intention of clashing with China. Furthermore, the US expressed its willingness to uphold the One-China policy and promote stable development of China-US relations, according to President Xi.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.