Xi Jinping Requests Biden to Deter Speaker Pelosi's Taiwan Visit... Biden Refuses

U.S. President Joe Biden (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping
[Photo by AP News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] It has been confirmed that Chinese President Xi Jinping requested U.S. President Joe Biden to dissuade Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, from visiting Taiwan, but President Biden rejected Xi's request.

The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 20th (local time), citing a senior White House official, that during a phone call on July 28, President Xi expressed concerns about Speaker Pelosi's visit to Taiwan and asked President Biden to find a way to prevent it. At that time, the Chinese government had declared that it would take various retaliatory measures if Speaker Pelosi visited Taiwan.

However, President Biden rejected Xi's request, citing the principle of separation of powers, stating that Speaker Pelosi has the authority to independently decide on foreign visits. President Biden then warned President Xi not to take provocative actions even if Speaker Pelosi visited Taiwan.

According to press briefings from both countries following the summit call between the U.S. and Chinese leaders, it is known that President Biden and President Xi had significant disagreements during the phone call. At that time, there were expectations that Speaker Pelosi's Asia tour schedule would include a visit to Taiwan, and the two leaders clashed over the Taiwan issue as well.

However, the fact that President Xi requested to dissuade Speaker Pelosi from visiting Taiwan and that President Biden refused this request has been revealed for the first time.

Regarding this, WP pointed out, "Some criticize Speaker Pelosi's visit as an act for personal political achievements," adding, "This ultimately became a burden on the administration and only heightened tensions between the administration, which should support the president's governance, and the House of Representatives."

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