‘Whoever plays with fire, will burn himself’, China warns US [TKB USA]

China and America have come face to face on topic of Taiwan. On Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping openly warned US President Joe Biden and even said that ‘whoever plays with fire, will burn himself.’ In this way, China has also made its stand on Taiwan clear. Biden made a video call to Xi Jinping on Thursday and the two had a conversation for 2 hours and 17 minutes.

In this conversation, the two leaders discussed the future of complex relationships. Relations between the US and China are already tense. Biden and Xi last held talks in March, shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This is the fifth time Xi has been in talks since Biden became president.

Video call more than 2 hours
According to the White House press pool, Biden held discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping on issues of mutual interest. President Biden made a video call to Xi Jinping at around 8.33 am. After more than 2 hours, the conversation ended at around 10:50.

Two countries are face to face on Taiwan

According to the news agency, tensions have increased between the two countries regarding Taiwan recently. There is a possible visit to Taiwan of Speaker of the lower house of the US Congress (Parliament), Nancy Pelosi, about which China is seen to be very angry. China is seeing this as an act of provocation. Let us tell you that Taiwan is a self-governing island, which China considers its part. Now if Nancy visits Taiwan, it will be the first visit by a top US politician to the self-governing island since 1997.

China has already warned

Earlier, the US President also raised doubts about Nancy Pelosi’s alleged visit to Taiwan next month. Biden said the US military believes it is not a good idea for Pelosi to travel to Taiwan as planned. Quoting the White House press pool, Biden said on Wednesday – the military thinks this is not a good idea right now. China has warned of a ‘counterattack’ if Pelosi crosses its ‘red line’.

Now warning not to play with fire

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday warned US not to “play with fire” on Taiwan during a video call between the two leaders and asked the US to follow the One China principle.

Will openly oppose external forces: China

Xi said- China strongly opposes separatist moves towards ‘Taiwan independence’ and interference from outside forces and never allows ‘Taiwan independence’ forces to have any place in any form. Xi said- ‘The position of the Chinese government and people on Taiwan is in question and it is the firm desire of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people to protect China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

America said – Taiwan does not support independence

In contrast, US President Joe Biden said that the US does not support ‘Taiwan’s independence’. A White House statement quoted Biden as saying: “The policy of the United States has not changed, it strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.”

Biden further said that the US hopes to keep an open line of communication with China to enhance mutual understanding and avoid misconceptions and miscalculations. And will work with China, where the interests of the two countries align and at the same time manage differences properly.