Xi Jinping warns Biden "Playing with fire will get you burned"... Pelosi departs today for Asia-Pacific tour

Biden Warns in US-China Leaders' Call
Emphasizes Willingness for Bilateral Cooperation
SCMP Predicts Japan Will Be Hit if Conflict Erupts
Speaker Pelosi to Depart on 29th... Taiwan Visit Still Uncertain

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Chinese President Xi Jinping warned during a call with US President Joe Biden about the Taiwan issue, saying, "If you play with fire, you will be burned." Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, who triggered tensions, is scheduled to leave the US soon for a tour of the Asia-Pacific region, but it remains uncertain whether Taiwan is included in her itinerary.

According to major Chinese state media including the People's Daily 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 public sentiment, and if you play with fire, you will be burned." Xi further stated, "China will firmly resist 'external forces' interfering in Taiwan," and "I hope the US holds a clear stance on this issue." This is interpreted as a warning ahead of Speaker Pelosi's possible visit to Taiwan, which could be seen as support for Taiwan's independence.

At the same time, he expressed willingness to improve and cooperate in bilateral relations. According to the People's Daily, he told Biden, "The assessment that China poses the most serious long-term threat to the US is a misunderstanding of bilateral relations and a misperception of China's development." He also emphasized, "The current global economic situation is full of challenges," and "China and the US 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."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

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 US does not support Taiwan independence." He also stated, "The world is at an important moment today," and "US-China cooperation benefits not only the peoples of both countries but also other nations." The two leaders also exchanged views on the Ukraine situation, with President Xi reaffirming China's principled position, the newspaper added.

In response to the somewhat strong expression like "playing with fire," the US appears cautious about overinterpretation. White House spokesperson Jean-Pierre said, "Chinese leaders used similar language in the November talks," and declined to comment further on the metaphor's interpretation.

According to Bloomberg News, Speaker Pelosi is scheduled to leave the US on the 29th (local time) for a tour of the Asia-Pacific region including Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. A source familiar with the situation said it remains uncertain whether Taiwan is included in the visit.

There is also a forecast that Japan could face significant risks if Speaker Pelosi visits Taiwan. Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP), citing diplomatic observers, predicted, "Japan would step forward to support US forces if a conflict occurs." Fumiko Sasaki, a researcher at Columbia University in New York, explained, "Japan has no choice but to side with the US if an issue arises in the Taiwan Strait," adding, "Japan must cooperate with the US to prepare for an emergency in the Taiwan Strait."

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