China issues veiled warning to the US: 'Taiwan and red lines must not be crossed'

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared details of the meeting between Xi and Biden, which took place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held in Lima, the capital of Peru. According to the statement, Xi pointed out that the Taiwan issue, democracy and human rights, China's chosen path and system, and the right to development are the "four red lines that must not be crossed" and the "most important guardrails and safety nets in relations."

VEILED WARNING TO THE US ON TAIWAN

Emphasizing that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are incompatible with separatist activities aimed at Taiwan's independence, Xi said, "If the US side is sincere about maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, it must clearly see the true face of (Taiwan leader) Lai Ching-te and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, who seek Taiwan's independence."

Xi called on the US to handle the Taiwan issue with "extra caution," and to support China's peaceful reunification by opposing Taiwan's independence.

"BUILDING SMALL YARDS WITH HIGH FENCES SHOULD NOT BE THE WAY OF A GREAT POWER"

The Chinese leader also expressed his views on economic and trade relations between the world's two largest economies.

Stating that the Chinese people's "right to development" cannot be ignored or deprived, Xi underscored that while every country has the right to ensure its own national security, the concept of national security should not be overstretched and used as a pretext for malicious actions aimed at restricting or containing other countries.

Xi stated that humanity is facing frequent conflicts and numerous unprecedented challenges in a world full of turmoil, adding that in this environment, great power competition should not be the fundamental logic of the times, and that only cooperation and solidarity can help humanity overcome these challenges.

Pointing out that decoupling economic ties and disrupting supply chains are not solutions, and that common development can only be achieved through mutually beneficial cooperation, the Chinese leader said, "Building small yards with high fences should not be the way of a great power. The prosperity of humanity only flourishes through openness and sharing."

"THE US SHOULD NOT INTERFERE IN DISPUTES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA"

Asserting that China possesses sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea, which is the subject of sovereignty disputes with other coastal states, Xi indicated that the best way to manage disputes between states in the region is through dialogue and consultation.

Referring to recent frictions between China and the Philippines over certain reefs that form part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, Xi said, "The US should not interfere in bilateral disputes over islands and reefs in the South China Sea, and should not incite provocations."

Xi stated that China's position and actions on the Ukraine issue have always been open and fair, that it has conducted shuttle diplomacy and mediation to promote peace talks, and that it has made every effort to de-escalate tensions and achieve peace.

Noting that China will not allow conflict and chaos on the Korean Peninsula, Xi emphasized that it will not remain a bystander to situations that threaten its strategic security and core interests.

"THE 'THUCYDIDES TRAP' IS NOT INEVITABLE"

Referring to the "Thucydides Trap" analogy used by American political scientist Graham Allison, a faculty member at Harvard University, to discuss whether the power struggle between the US and China would turn into an inevitable conflict—citing the historical narrative of the ancient Greek historian Thucydides regarding the "ruling power vs. rising power" struggle between the city-states of Sparta and Athens—Xi noted the following:

"It is important to have the right strategic perception of relations. The 'Thucydides Trap' is not a historical inevitability. A new Cold War should not be entered into, as it will have no winners. Attempting to contain China would be an irrational, unacceptable, and doomed strategy."

Emphasizing that China and the US should treat each other as equals, Xi said that the two major countries should not try to reshape the other according to their own will, suppress the other from a position of so-called "strength," or deprive the other of its legitimate right to development in order to maintain their leading position.

The US and China have maintained a tense relationship in recent years, characterized by numerous disputes ranging from trade to economic security and technological competition, and from sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea to the Taiwan issue.

Under the Biden presidency, the two countries initially maintained a confrontational relationship, but in recent times, the search for dialogue has come to the fore. It is anticipated that relations could become more tense on both the trade and strategic competition fronts once Donald Trump, who was elected the 47th President of the US in the presidential election held on November 5, takes office from Biden.

News Source: 12punto