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Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday urged the United States not to cross the “red line” in its support for Taiwan. He made the warning during a meeting with outgoing US President Joe Biden in Lima, on the sidelines of the APEC summit.
Two months before Donald Trump’s return to the White House, Mr. Xi affirmed that “the question of Taiwan, democracy and human rights” as well as the Chinese political and economic system and its interests in terms of development “are China’s four red lines that must not be questioned,” Chinese state television CCTV reported.
“These are the most important safeguards and safety net for China-US relations,” Xi added, according to CCTV. He condemned the “separatist actions” of Taiwan’s leaders as “incompatible with peace and security” in the region.
China Sea
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it will not rule out the use of force to bring the island back under its control. In recent years, it has increased its military pressure by sending warplanes, drones and ships around the island almost daily.
The United States is Taiwan’s main security supporter, even though it does not diplomatically recognize the island.
During his meeting with Joe Biden on the sidelines of a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum, Xi Jinping also affirmed that Washington “should not intervene in bilateral disputes […] and not tolerate or support provocative actions” in the South China Sea, according to CCTV.
Beijing claims, for historical reasons, its sovereignty over almost all of the uninhabited reefs and islets in the South China Sea, ignoring a 2016 international court ruling according to which its claims have no legal basis.
The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia have rival claims in this maritime zone with high commercial and strategic stakes. The situation has worsened in recent months. Several episodes of violence pitted Chinese ships on one side and Vietnamese and Filipino ships on the other.
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