The American and Chinese presidents must speak for the third time on Monday. The tensions are mounted by a notch in recent weeks about Taiwan, that Beijing considers as a rebel province, which must return to its giron.
Le Monde with AFP
The expected summit between China and the United States has not started but hostilities are already launched. Beijing and Washington exchanged, Saturday, November 13, of severe warnings about Taiwan, before a virtual summit planned Monday between the presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden.
In an interview with its Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has “expressed his concern about the military, diplomatic and economic pressure on the People’s Republic of China against Taiwan”, according to a statement of the department state.
mm. Biden and XI must talk for the third time Monday night, Washington time, early on Tuesday in Beijing, videoconferencing. The conversation between mm. Blinken and Wang was intended to prepare this summit.
The United States calls for “a significant dialogue”
The Head of American Diplomacy has “exhorted Beijing to engage in a significant dialogue” to resolve its disputes with Taipei “peacefully and in a manner consistent with the wishes and interests of the people on Taiwan”, according to the State Department. Mr Wang warned the United States against any action that could be interpreted as support for “the independence of Taiwan”, according to a summary of the exchange published by the Chinese government. “All connivance or support for the forces for the independence of Taiwan undermines peace in the Strait of Taiwan and can only return to Boomerang,” said Chinese Foreign Minister.
The tensions are mounted by a notch in recent weeks about Taiwan, that Beijing considers as a rebel province that must come back to its fun. China intensified its actions in recent years to isolate Taiwan on the international scene and stop any attempt at island recognition as an independent state. The Chinese authorities have also strengthened military activities near Taiwan. Washington has, for its part, reiterated its commitment to help Taipei build and strengthen its defense.
Accumulation of litigation
The biden-XI summit takes place while litigation accumulate between Washington and Beijing, which each appear firm on their positions about trade or human rights. The Monday Summit “is an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss [how to manage the competition between the United States and the People’s Republic of China, while working together in the areas where interests are aligned. “,” said the State Department.
The American president never hidden his desire to meet in person the Chinese leader, and did not deprive himself to criticize his absence during the recent summits of the G20 and COP26. But it must be satisfied with a virtual meeting with Xi Jinping, who has not left China for almost two years, evoking sanitary reasons.