BEIJING, May 15. /TASS/. Chinese President Xi Jinping explained to his US counterpart, Donald Trump, that separatism and peace in the Taiwan Strait are incompatible, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, commenting on their talks.
"One of the key issues raised at the meeting was the issue of Taiwan," the Chinese foreign ministry quoted him as saying. "Maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is the 'greatest common denominator' for both sides. A prerequisite for this is that under no circumstances should separatism in Taiwan be supported or condoned, as it is incompatible with peace in the Taiwan Strait."
According to the top Chinese diplomat, during Xi’s meeting with Trump, the Chinese side saw that the US leadership understands China’s position and "attaches great significance to Beijing’s concerns and, like, the entire international community, it disapproves of and rejects Taiwan’s movement toward independence."
The Chinese minister recalled that the Taiwan issue is China’s internal affair and the complete reunification of the country "is a shared desire of all of China’s sons and daughters, and the unchanged historic mission of the Chinese Communist Party." "We hope that the American side will strictly observe the One China principle and the three joint Chinese-US communiques and will remain committed to its international obligations," Wang Yi added.
One China principle as guarantor of stability
The top Chinese diplomat stressed that the Taiwan issue plays a key role in the country’s relations with the United States and warned that any breach of this principle will "entail a chain reaction." In his words, if this problem is settled correctly, ties between Beijing and Washington "will preserve overall stability." Otherwise, "strains and even conflicts may emerge between the two countries, putting the entire spectrum of Chinese-US relations at risk," he warned.
"China hopes that the United States will take concrete actions to maintain the steady development of our bilateral relations, ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," he emphasized.
Taiwan has been governed by its local administration since 1949 when the Kuomintang’s remaining forces headed by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) were defeated in the Chinese Civil War and took refuge on the island. Taiwan has preserved the flag and several other symbols of the Republic of China that had existed before the Communists took over the mainland. According to China’s official position, which is supported by most countries, including Russia, the Island of Taiwan is one of China’s provinces.