Chinese officials said in a statement after lengthy talks that Xi “told President Trump that the Taiwan issue is the most important issue in China's relations with the United States.”
In contrast, the White House representative did not mention Taiwan in his statement to the media, only noting that the leaders discussed ensuring navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Chinese imports of agricultural products from the US and curbing the trade in intermediates used to produce fentanyl.
The Taiwan issue. “There may be tensions and even conflicts”
US allies feared that Trump might withdraw support for Taiwan, even unconsciously, during the summit with Xi. American policy towards Taiwan has long been to recognize the island as separate from the People's Republic of China, which claims it. Taiwan's semiconductor industry is crucial to the Trump administration's efforts to ensure a secure supply chain in the U.S. technology sector.
“If this issue is properly resolved, bilateral relations will be stable. Otherwise, there will be tensions and even conflicts, which will put the entire relationship in serious danger.” – warn the Chinese in a statement regarding Taiwan, which is an independently governed island.
Apart from the issue of Taiwan, the statements of Beijing's representatives emphasize its uncomfortable position towards Iran, which was attacked by the United States and Israel at the end of February, which prompted Tehran to close the strategic sea route and caused a blockage in the flow of oil and gas.
China remains one of Iran's main economic partners and a significant buyer of local oil, but at the same time it is heavily dependent on energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz and wants to avoid an extension of the conflict in the region, which could disrupt global trade and threaten its economic interests.
“Successful” meeting between Trump and Xi in Beijing
Calling the meeting between Trump and Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing “successful,” a White House official said Xi “expressed opposition to the militarization of the strait and any attempts to collect fees for its use“, “declared willingness to purchase larger amounts of American oil to reduce China's dependence on the strait in the future” and “agreed that Iran will never be able to possess nuclear weapons.”
According to a U.S. official, during the more than two-hour meeting, the leaders also discussed deepening economic cooperation, increasing access for American companies to the Chinese market and Chinese investments in American industry.
