A front-page article in People’s Daily described Taiwan as a “red line” for Beijing and called it a guardrail and safety net for China-US relations, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.
China on Tuesday again warned that Taiwan remains a “red line” in its ties with the United States, just a day before Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to travel to Washington for a summit with US President Donald Trump. “Managing ‘Taiwan independence’ is a key part of building constructive strategic stability between China and the US,” the article said, describing pro-independence forces as a “common enemy” of Beijing and Washington. Beijing’s warning came as the two leaders prepare to discuss a relationship marked by tensions over Taiwan, trade and security.
China is also watching Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s meeting with Trump in New York on Tuesday.
Relations between China and Japan have remained tense since November last year, when Takaichi said in parliament that a Taiwan contingency could become a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan and potentially lead to action by its defence forces in support of the US. Ahead of Xi’s visit, Chaoyang Shaoxia, a social-media channel widely believed to be affiliated with China’s foreign ministry, said the trip was aimed at “keeping the positive momentum going”. Asked about the posts, foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday, “China is ready to work with the US to enrich the China-US constructive relationship of strategic stability, enhance dialogue and cooperation, and properly manage differences to contribute to the well-being of both peoples and to a peaceful, stable and prosperous world”.
Japanese officials said Takaichi would also emphasise the need to strengthen deterrence against what Tokyo describes as Chinese military and economic coercion, the Japan Times reported.
Takaichi is expected to stress the strength of the US-Japan alliance and the need to maintain a strong position on Taiwan, Japanese officials said. Her meeting with Trump comes as Tokyo seeks to coordinate with Washington on China ahead of Xi’s visit.