The US government official recently disclosed to Reuters that during the summit between the US and China last year, Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping attempted to persuade the US to change its wording when discussing the Taiwan issue, but was rejected by US President Biden.
According to Reuters, two US officials and one source revealed that at the US-China summit held near San Francisco in November last year, Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping proposed changing the official US statement from “not supporting” Taiwan independence to “opposing” Taiwan independence. Xi’s aides followed up on this request multiple times over the following months but were consistently rebuffed by the Biden administration.
In response to Reuters’ inquiry, the White House reiterated in a statement that Washington does not support Taiwan independence. “The Biden-Harris administration’s China policy has been consistent,” the statement read.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry, in response to inquiries, stated, “You should bring this question to the US government. China’s position on the Taiwan issue is clear and consistent.”
In 1949, the Chinese Communist Party forcibly occupied the mainland China, leading the Nationalist-led Republic of China government to retreat to Taiwan, thus dividing the two sides of the strait.
The Republic of China upholds the Chinese tradition and is seen as a beacon of Asian liberal democracy. Meanwhile, the Chinese communist regime, despite never governing Taiwan, has continuously exerted pressure on the government of the Republic of China and openly declared its willingness to use force to bring Taiwan under its rule.
In recent years, China has been attempting to change US diplomatic language on the Taiwan issue through diplomatic means, turning it into one of the most sensitive areas in US-China relations. This direct and renewed push at a summit between the two countries has not been publicly reported before.
Currently, it is unclear why the Chinese party leader chose to raise this sensitive issue with Biden. However, in recent years, Chinese military activities near the Taiwan Strait have intensified, escalating tensions in the region.
The Biden administration not only categorically rejected altering the US language on the Taiwan issue according to the Chinese intentions but also, as one source told Reuters, has briefed senior Taiwanese officials on recent Chinese developments on this issue.
A senior official from the Biden administration indicated that the Chinese regime appeared eager for President Biden to make a different statement on the Taiwan issue compared to past administrations, but Biden has maintained the standard US position on discussing the Taiwan issue.
Moreover, during his term, Biden hinted that the US would protect Taiwan if it were attacked, departing from the previous stance of “strategic ambiguity,” much to the chagrin of the Chinese regime.
Government officials from two Pacific nations informed Reuters that as China intensifies military pressure on Taiwan, any change in US language toward Taiwan would be interpreted as a shift in US policy, potentially reducing defense and diplomatic support for Taiwan.
Therefore, any diplomatic language changes by the US on the Taiwan issue may have implications for the Indo-Pacific region, US allies, competitors, and hostile nations, leading to miscalculations.
For the past five years, the Chinese authorities have conducted nearly daily military activities around Taiwan. Earlier this month, China deployed a record 153 military aircraft in a single day for exercises simulating blockading Taiwan’s ports and attacking targets on the island.
Furthermore, any changes in language could be seen as shifts in US policy, moving from supporting a peaceful negotiated solution to the Taiwan issue to implying opposition to Taiwan’s demands in any circumstance.
Surveys in Taiwan show that most people support maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, without seeking unification or establishing a new political system.
Before Biden concludes his presidential term in January next year, the leaders of the US and China are expected to have another conversation. The discussion could take place over the phone or during the upcoming G20 summit in Brazil next month or the APEC summit in Peru. APEC is one of the few international forums that both Taiwan and mainland China participate in.
The US will hold its presidential election in 2024 on November 5th. At that time, the issue of US-Taiwan relations will be passed on to the next president.
Although the US terminated official diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979, the two sides still maintain a robust unofficial relationship.
According to the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, the US pledged to assist Taiwan in maintaining its self-defense capabilities and advocated for resolving the differences across the Taiwan Strait through peaceful means, opposing any unilateral changes to the status quo.
Moreover, the US government encourages constructive dialogues between the two sides of the strait based on dignity and respect.