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🇸🇬 Singapore /Conflict & Security

China warns Taiwan is 'biggest risk' to US ties in call with Rubio

From The Straits Times · (9m ago) English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Taiwan is the biggest risk to bilateral relations.
  • Wang stated that Taiwan concerns China's core interests and urged the U.S. to keep its promises to foster cooperation and world peace.
  • The call preceded an anticipated summit between U.S. President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, highlighting Taiwan's importance on Beijing's agenda.

BEIJING, April 30 - In a pointed exchange, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi directly addressed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, identifying Taiwan as the paramount risk jeopardizing the relationship between the two global powers. Wang emphasized that the Taiwan issue is intrinsically linked to China's core interests, issuing a clear call for the United States to honor its commitments. This, he asserted, is crucial for opening new avenues for cooperation and contributing to global peace.

The Taiwan issue concerns China's core interests

— Wang YiDuring a call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasizing the sensitivity of the Taiwan issue.

The conversation, as detailed in an official summary from Wang's ministry, occurred weeks before a significant mid-May summit planned between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. This timing underscores the strategic weight Beijing places on the Taiwan question, positioning it at the forefront of bilateral discussions.

the U.S. should "keep its promises and make the right choices in order to open up new space for China-U.S. cooperation and make due efforts for world peace"

— Wang YiOutlining conditions for improved China-U.S. relations and global stability.

This high-level dialogue also touched upon the Middle East situation, though specific details were not disclosed. The exchange between Wang and Rubio, their first publicly known conversation since late February, occurred amidst a period of easing trade tensions, following a tariff truce established during a previous Trump-Xi meeting. Wang's remarks to Rubio stressed the importance of safeguarding the hard-won stability in China-U.S. relations, preparing for upcoming high-level interactions, expanding cooperation, and effectively managing existing differences.

Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Trump, China-U.S. relations have generally remained stable

— Wang YiAssessing the current state of bilateral relations during the call.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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