Beijing: Taiwan has emerged as the most sensitive issue ahead of the expected summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, with China preparing to push its position strongly during the talks.
Officials and analysts say Beijing sees Taiwan as a core national concern and is likely to urge the United States to limit its support for the self ruled island. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly said it is a red line that cannot be crossed.
In recent months, China has increased pressure on Taiwan through military activities and political messaging. It continues to promote the idea of reunification while warning that it has not ruled out the use of force.
Taiwan has rejected China’s claims and insists that its future should be decided by its own people. The island has also been strengthening its defence and maintaining close ties with the United States.
Washington has continued to support Taiwan, including through arms sales and political backing. This has drawn repeated warnings from Beijing, which has called on the United States to handle the issue carefully.
The upcoming meeting between Trump and Xi is expected to address a wide range of issues, including trade and global security. However, Taiwan is likely to dominate the discussions as both sides hold firm positions.
Experts say the talks are unlikely to produce a breakthrough on Taiwan because of the deep differences between the two countries. Instead, the focus may be on managing tensions and avoiding further escalation.
Trade disputes and wider geopolitical challenges are also expected to shape the summit. Despite some easing of economic tensions, both countries continue to compete in areas such as technology and global influence.
Observers believe the meeting will be important in setting the tone for relations between the two powers. While both sides may seek stability, the Taiwan issue remains a major source of friction that is not likely to be resolved anytime soon.