The United States issued a warning to China regarding Taiwan on Saturday, just hours before a scheduled virtual summit on Monday between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern during a call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi regarding China's ongoing military, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Taiwan, according to a statement from the US State Department.
Biden and Xi are set to hold their third video meeting as tensions rise between Washington and Beijing, with both sides taking firm stances on various issues, including Taiwan. The call between Blinken and Wang aimed to prepare for the upcoming summit.
### Tensions in US-China Relations
Blinken urged Beijing to engage in "meaningful dialogue" to resolve its disputes with Taipei "peacefully and in accordance with the will and interests of the people of Taiwan," according to the US State Department. Relations between the world's two largest economies have deteriorated in recent weeks over multiple issues, including trade, human rights, and China's regional ambitions, prompting Biden to strengthen regional alliances in Asia.
Tensions have escalated in recent weeks regarding Taiwan's fate. After Biden stated that the US was prepared to intervene if China attacked the island, American diplomats reverted to a more traditional and cautious approach, increasing warnings and emphasizing their intention to "deter" Beijing from any military intervention.
In this tense atmosphere, the discussions on Monday reflect Washington's desire to keep "channels of communication" open at the highest level, following recent ministerial communications that have not always gone smoothly. The Chinese Foreign Ministry reported that Wang told his US counterpart that "both sides should meet halfway" during the talks between Xi and Biden. Wang also stressed to Blinken that Washington should stop sending "wrong signals" regarding Taiwan's status.
Blinken mentioned on Friday that "our relationship with China is one of the most important and complex." He added: "There are different dimensions: cooperation, competition, and confrontation, and we will work on these three aspects simultaneously," while welcoming China's "some progress" on climate-related issues.
