Washington: China has warned the United States not to cross what Beijing considers its core red lines as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in the United States for a closely watched meeting with US President Donald Trump.
Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng said on Wednesday that China’s sovereignty, security and development interests cannot be violated. He identified four issues as red lines: the Taiwan question, democracy and human rights, development paths and systems, and development rights.
The warning came as Xi began a state visit to the United States from September 23 to 25 at Trump’s invitation. The two leaders are scheduled to meet at the White House on Thursday, September 24.
Writing in the People’s Daily, the official newspaper of China’s ruling Communist Party, Xie said the United States should stop using what Beijing considers pretexts involving national security, economic imbalances and forced labour to restrict China.
He also said cooperation between China and the United States benefits both countries, while confrontation harms both sides.
The warning comes at a sensitive moment in relations between the world’s two largest economies. The two countries have reduced some of the tensions created by their major trade dispute, but serious disagreements remain over Taiwan, technology, trade, critical minerals and human rights.
Taiwan is expected to be among the most difficult issues for the two leaders.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes US arms sales to the island. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claim. The United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan but is Taiwan’s main international backer and arms supplier.
Reuters has reported that a proposed US arms package for Taiwan worth about $14 billion has been held back. Trump said after his May meeting with Xi in Beijing that the package was being held as a negotiating tool.
The summit is also taking place against the background of a temporary trade truce between Washington and Beijing. The current arrangement is due to expire on November 10, making trade one of the major issues facing the two leaders.
US and Chinese officials held preparatory economic talks in New York on September 20. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng discussed trade and economic issues, including artificial intelligence and critical minerals.
Artificial intelligence has also become an important part of the relationship. Bessent said the two countries had agreed to establish a formal dialogue on artificial intelligence risks and planned to continue discussions within two months.
Rare earths and critical minerals are another important area of disagreement. China has a major role in the global production and processing of rare earth materials, which are used in industries including electronics, automobiles, aerospace and defence.
Washington has been seeking greater access to Chinese rare earth supplies, while Beijing has continued to object to US restrictions on advanced technology and other measures affecting Chinese companies.
China has also announced additional export controls on two drug precursor chemicals ahead of the summit. The move brings the number of substances covered by China's export controls to 18.
The United States has identified China as a major source of precursor chemicals used in the production of synthetic drugs and has urged Beijing to take stronger action.
The White House has confirmed that Trump will greet Xi at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday. A formal state arrival ceremony and meetings at the White House are scheduled for Thursday, followed by a state dinner.
China has described the visit as an important opportunity for the two countries to strengthen dialogue, manage differences and expand cooperation.
However, there is no confirmed comprehensive agreement between Washington and Beijing ahead of the leaders’ meeting.
The meeting will test whether the two sides can maintain the current stability in their relationship while managing disagreements over Taiwan, trade, technology and other sensitive issues.
Beijing’s latest message combines a call for cooperation with a warning that China will defend what it considers its fundamental interests.