Taiwan Labeled 'Biggest Risk' in China-US Ties Ahead of Summit
Taiwan Labeled 'Biggest Risk' in China-US Ties Ahead of Summit
Beijing calls Taiwan the biggest risk to China-U.S. relations as talks advance toward a high-stakes May summit, urging high-level exchanges and adherence to promises.
Beijing has labeled Taiwan as 'the biggest risk' to China-U.S. relations as Washington and Beijing map out steps ahead of a high-stakes May summit. The assessment emerged from a late-April phone call between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with officials signaling that Taiwan would be a central issue in the discussions.
Wang Yi told Rubio that the Taiwan question touches China's core interests and urged Washington to keep its promises and make the right choices. He added that China should prepare for important high-level exchanges, a signal that Beijing still seeks steady channels despite deep disagreements.
Taiwan's own authorities expressed concern about the characterization, noting the timing comes roughly two weeks before a much-anticipated summit between U.S. President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in which Taiwan is expected to be a key topic. Taiwan officials reiterated their own position while watching Beijing's messages closely.
Observers also pointed to the broader backdrop: energy and geopolitical tensions complicated by the war on Iran, a context that has the two powers treading carefully as they navigate Taiwan, trade, and security alignments. The call, according to a summary released by state media, underscores Beijing's framing of Taiwan as a core issue, even as Washington calls for stability and adherence to commitments.
With the May summit just weeks away, analysts say the Taiwan issue will likely remain the flashpoint, shaping both bilateral dialogue and regional diplomacy. The statements reflect Beijing's intent to foreground Taiwan while signaling readiness for dialogue, even as tensions persist.
