October 29, 2024 – In recent diplomatic engagements, Chinese President Xi Jinping pressed U.S. President Joe Biden to modify Washington’s language and approach toward Taiwan. The conversation reflects China’s growing discomfort with perceived shifts in U.S. policy, as tensions over the Taiwan Strait remain high.
Xi’s request focuses on altering how the U.S. frames its stance on Taiwan, particularly regarding the One China policy and U.S. commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act. Beijing has repeatedly warned that U.S. ambiguity, arms sales, and high-profile political visits to Taipei undermine China’s sovereignty claims and encourage pro-independence sentiment in Taiwan.
Xi is believed to have called for clearer U.S. adherence to the One China principle—China’s official stance that Taiwan is a breakaway province—with fewer U.S. actions that seem to signal implicit support for Taiwan’s independence.
The Biden administration has emphasized its support for the status quo: acknowledging China’s claim to Taiwan without formally recognizing it, while continuing military support to ensure Taiwan’s self-defense. However, recent actions—such as high-profile visits by U.S. officials to Taipei and the bolstering of military aid—have led to a perception in Beijing that Washington’s policy is shifting toward “strategic clarity.”
Despite China’s demands, Biden has reiterated the U.S. position that any change to Taiwan’s status must come peacefully and with mutual agreement. The U.S. continues to express concern over China’s military activities around the island, including increased air and naval drills near Taiwan’s airspace.
The Taiwan issue remains a flashpoint in U.S.-China relations, with broader geopolitical consequences. Taiwan, a vital player in the global semiconductor industry, is also seen as a crucial component of U.S. strategy to counterbalance China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific. For Xi, pressuring the U.S. to alter its language is part of China’s long-term strategy to prevent any formal U.S. recognition of Taiwan’s independence.
As the U.S. and China prepare for further diplomatic discussions, the Taiwan issue will continue to test the limits of bilateral cooperation, with both leaders navigating a careful balance between confrontation and diplomacy.