Sources who spoke to NBC revealed that during their recent summit in San Francisco, Chinese President Xi Jinping conveyed a warning to President Joe Biden. President Xi Jinping expressed his intention to eventually incorporate Taiwan, even if it required the use of force.
Xi specifically told Biden that China would take Taiwan but did not say exactly when. The Chinese leader added during “a group meeting attended by a dozen American and Chinese officials that China’s preference is to take Taiwan peacefully, not by force,” NBC News reported.
During the meeting, the Chinese leader also discussed the public forecasts made by U.S. military leaders regarding Xi’s alleged plans to annex Taiwan in either 2025 or 2027. According to two current officials and one former official who were briefed on the meeting, Xi clarified that these predictions were inaccurate as he had not specified a specific timeframe for such actions.
Prior to the summit, Chinese officials had requested that Biden publicly affirm the U.S.’s support for China’s peaceful reunification with Taiwan and its non-endorsement of Taiwanese independence. However, the White House declined this request, as reported by NBC News.
The newly disclosed information provides insight into a crucial meeting between the two leaders, which aimed to alleviate tensions between their respective nations.
NBC News also reported: “Xi’s private warning to Biden, while not markedly different from his past public comments on reunifying Taiwan, got the attention of U.S. officials because it was delivered at a time when China’s behavior toward Taiwan is seen as increasingly aggressive and ahead of a potentially pivotal presidential election in the self-governing democratic island next month.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) called on Democrats and Republicans to unify in an effort to fight back against China.
“This story as reported is beyond unnerving,” Graham said. “I will be working with Democratic and Republican Senators to do two things quickly. First, create a robust defense supplemental for Taiwan and second, draft pre-invasion sanctions from hell to impose on China if they take action to seize Taiwan.”
According to reports, the Chinese leader’s tone was blunt, though not exactly confrontational.
“His language was no different than what he has always said. He is always tough on Taiwan. He’s always had a tough line,” said one U.S. official who is familiar with the exchange.
During the Chinese Communist Party Congress held last year, Xi made a public announcement stating that China would employ military action against Taiwan in the event of its declaration of independence with external backing. He further emphasized that this use of force is specifically aimed at countering interference from foreign entities and a small group of separatists advocating for Taiwanese independence.
“Xi, who has set a goal of doubling the size of the Chinese economy by 2035, also said that ‘we must continue to pursue economic development as our central task.’ Some experts believe it is doubtful that China would attack Taiwan if it does not declare independence because a military conflict would likely prevent Beijing from reaching its economic goals,” NBC News reported..
The White House then went on to say – “We’re in a competitive relationship, China and the United States, but my responsibility is to make this rational and manageable, so it doesn’t result in conflict,” Biden said. “That’s what I’m all about. That’s what this is about.”
The U.S. CIA Director reported earlier that Xi has directed his military to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. “Now, that does not mean that he’s decided to conduct an invasion in 2027, or any other year, but it’s a reminder of the seriousness of his focus and his ambition,” Burns added.