Taiwan tensions: Xi warns US of clashes if issue is mishandled

China sharpened its warning on Taiwan on Thursday. Beijing said tensions with the United States could rise sharply. China views Taiwan as Chinese territory. A Chinese foreign ministry readout said President Xi Jinping raised the issue with US President Donald Trump at a summit.

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Xi described Taiwan as central to Beijing-Washington ties, the ministry said. Xi warned of serious consequences if the matter was mishandled. "If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy,\" Xi said.

China Taiwan tensions and US warning over conflict

Xi also gave a stark message on sovereignty, according to the same statement. \"Taiwan independence and cross-Strait peace are as irreconcilable as fire and water,\" Xi told Trump. The language showed rising Chinese pressure on the US. Washington remains Taiwan’s largest unofficial supporter.

The US is required by law to help Taiwan defend itself. Still, the US keeps what is often called strategic ambiguity. That approach leaves unclear US military action. It applies if China attempts to take Taiwan by force. Beijing has raised pressure through diplomacy and military activity.

China Taiwan history and Beijing’s military pressure

China and Taiwan have been run separately since 1949. The split followed a civil war and Communist Party rule in Beijing. Nationalist Party forces fled to Taiwan. Taiwan later moved from martial law to multiparty democracy. China calls Taiwan a breakaway province and keeps force as an option.

Beijing and Taipei relations worsened after Tsai Ing-wen won Taiwan’s presidency in 2016. Tsai Ing-wen’s Democratic Progressive Party says Taiwan is functionally independent. The party says Taiwan is a sovereign state. China then halted most formal dialogue. Beijing also sent warships and fighter jets near Taiwan almost daily.

China Taiwan policy debate and US Taiwan weapons package

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on Thursday about Washington’s position. Rubio said US policy had not shifted. \"US policy on the issue of Taiwan is unchanged as of today,\" Rubio said. Rubio also warned it would be a terrible mistake for China to seize Taiwan by force.

Analysts linked Xi’s remarks to Chinese concerns about closer US-Taiwan defence ties. William Yang of the International Crisis Group said any concession would appear in Beijing’s readout. Yang said its absence and the stern tone suggested Trump did not move. In December, Trump’s team announced an USD 11 billion weapons package.

Trump also asked Taiwan to raise defence spending. Ma Chun-wei of Tamkang University said Beijing may worry about shifting US language. The US has long acknowledged China’s view, while keeping unofficial ties with Taiwan. A national security strategy from last December stated: \"We will also maintain our longstanding declaratory policy on Taiwan, meaning that the United States does not support any unilateral change to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.\"

Ma said US wording is usually more standard. Ma added the Chinese leader faces expectations at home. \"For Xi Jinping, he must show that the Taiwan issue is in Chinas hands. He must demonstrate this image, or else he would be criticised,\" Ma said. Xi has previously said China would be reunified with Taiwan, home to about 23 million people.

Taiwan also matters beyond politics and security. The island produces AI servers, computer chips, and precision instruments. The AI boom has lifted major Taiwanese technology firms. Reports have linked it to record profits and revenues. Meanwhile, China has continued efforts to reduce Taiwan’s diplomatic partners while increasing military pressure.

With inputs from PTI