Xi Jinping warns Trump of U.S.-China clash if Taiwan is mishandled

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\r\n[Financial News] Xi Jinping warned Donald Trump that the Taiwan issue is the biggest risk factor in China–United States relations and that the two countries could clash if it is mishandled. Even as the atmosphere around U.S.-China trade talks has eased somewhat, Beijing has made clear in public that it will not compromise on Taiwan.
According to CCTV on the 14th, Xi said at the summit held that morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, "The Taiwan issue is the most important issue in China–United States relations." He added, "If it is handled well, bilateral relations can remain stable overall. But if it is handled badly, the two countries could run into each other, or even clash, pushing the entire China–United States relationship into a very dangerous situation."
Xi also stressed, "Taiwan independence is incompatible with peace in the Taiwan Strait," and said, "Maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is the greatest common denominator for the two countries."
The remarks are seen as Beijing's way of drawing its red line more clearly at a time when the United States has been stepping up military and diplomatic support for Taiwan. China has long described the Taiwan issue as a "core of core interests," but directly mentioning the possibility of "clash" in public summit remarks is being interpreted as a stronger warning.
On economic and trade issues, Xi emphasized a negotiating stance. He said, "The essence of U.S.-China economic and trade relations lies in mutual benefit," and added, "It has been proven many times that there are no winners in a trade war. When faced with differences and friction, equal-footed negotiations are the only correct choice."
Xi also gave a positive assessment of the high-level economic and trade meeting between the two countries held the previous day. He said, "Yesterday, our Economic and Trade Delegation produced generally balanced and positive results," adding that "this is good news for both peoples and for the world."
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km@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-min Reporter