The United States and China must try to prevent their differences over Taiwan from leading to a conflict, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken defended this Friday, amid growing tensions over a possible visit to the island by the leader of Congress.
Questioned at a press conference, Blinken declined to comment on the basis of the news that points to a possible visit to Taiwan by the leader of the US Congress.
China does not want Nancy Pelosi in Taiwan and threatens “firm and firm measures” if trip materializes
However, the US diplomat recalled that President Joe Biden conveyed to his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, during the long telephone conversation between the two heads of state on Thursday, that the United States “firmly opposes unilateral efforts” to change the Taiwan status.
We have many differences when it comes to Taiwan, but for more than 40 years we have managed those differences and we have done so in a way that has preserved peace and stability and allowed the people of Taiwan to prosper.”
Antony Blinken stressed that it is “important, as part of the shared responsibilities” between both countries, that the situation continue to be “managed with prudence, so as not to generate a conflict”, and that The US and China continue “in communication on this matter”.
We believe that direct communications between the two leaders are essential to fulfill these responsibilities.”
The Joe Biden administration is concerned about the possible repercussions of a visit to Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi, leader of the House of Representatives and therefore one of the highest figures in the US state.
Pelosi, who has been outspokenly critical of the Beijing regime for years, did not confirm her plans for a possible visit, but conveyed that does not support a declaration of independence from Taiwanthat China claims as part of its territory.
China and Taiwan have lived as two autonomous territories since 1949, when the former Chinese nationalist government took refuge on the island after defeat in the civil war against the communists.
China claims Taiwan as a breakaway province that will be reunited by force if necessary, and opposes any activity on the island as an independent political entity.
Relations between Taipei and Beijing have become more tense since the election of the territory’s current head of state, Tsai Ing-wen, in 2016, who considers the island a Sovereign state that is not part of China.
Despite this dispute, Taipei and Beijing are linked by strong trade and investment relations.
However, Beijing is against any official contact between Taiwan and other countries.
US officials visit this island frequently, but China believes that a visit by Pelosi, one of the most important figures in the US state, would be a great provocation.
The US president and his Chinese counterpart had a lengthy telephone conversation on Thursday focused on tensions over Taiwan, prompting Xi Jinping to warn Joe Biden not to “play with fire.”
Biden and Xi Jinping spoke for more than two hours on Taiwan: China leaves a warning, the US says it has not changed its position
The Americans have no official relations with Taiwan, mainly because Washington is the island’s main arms supplier and would be its greatest military ally in the event of a war with the Asian giant.
Source: Observadora
