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China’s President Xi Jinping instructed European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen that Washington was making an attempt to goad Beijing into attacking Taiwan, in keeping with folks conversant in the matter.
The Chinese language chief has additionally delivered the warning to home officers in his personal nation, one individual mentioned.
Xi issued the warning in a gathering with von der Leyen in April 2023 that was described to the Monetary Occasions by a number of folks. He mentioned the US was making an attempt to trick China into invading Taiwan, however that he wouldn’t take the bait. One other individual mentioned he had issued comparable warnings to his officers.
The feedback present a window into Xi’s pondering on Taiwan — essentially the most thorny problem in US-China relations.
Some Chinese language teachers and retired navy officers have claimed that Washington is making an attempt to impress Beijing by offering weapons to Taiwan and pushing different measures to lure China into navy confrontation.
Talking on the Asia Society in January, Cui Tiankai, a former Chinese language ambassador to Washington, mentioned China would “not fall into the lure someone could also be making ready for us”, in a veiled reference to the US.
Xi’s comment to von der Leyen is the primary recognized case of him making the declare to a overseas chief. Xi additionally mentioned {that a} battle with the US would destroy lots of China’s achievements and undermine his aim of reaching a “nice rejuvenation” by 2049.
“If Xi genuinely believes that the US actively seeks battle with China over Taiwan, then issues that Xi has created an data vacuum or is in any other case getting poor council from subordinates are, worryingly, true,” mentioned Jude Blanchette, a China skilled at CSIS, a think-tank.
The revelation comes after tensions rose throughout the Taiwan Strait. China responded to Could’s inauguration of Lai Ching-te as Taiwan’s new president with main navy workouts across the island. Beijing has described Lai as a “harmful separatist”.
Washington has an obligation to assist Taiwan present for its personal defence underneath the Taiwan Relations Act. However the Biden administration has lengthy pressured that it doesn’t help Taiwanese independence and opposes unilateral adjustments to the established order.
Chinese language anxiousness over US intentions has grown lately, whereas US issues about assertive Chinese language navy exercise round Taiwan have risen.
One Chinese language educational mentioned Washington was “actively encouraging independence forces in Taiwan” and the US knew that in the event that they crossed a crimson line by declaring independence, China can be compelled to take navy motion.
Blanchette mentioned one potential rationalization for Xi’s remark was that some subordinates have been making an attempt to steer him away from extra aggressive insurance policies.
“Regardless of the rationalization for Xi’s feedback, it’s clear that the decision-making setting — and the data feeding into it — is being warped, both by Xi’s lieutenants, or by his personal autocratic behaviour,” Blanchette mentioned.
Bonnie Glaser, a German Marshall Fund China skilled, mentioned the remark could have been a part of China’s try to tug Europe away from the US on the Taiwan problem, however is was additionally potential that Xi believed it.
The Chinese language embassy in Washington didn’t touch upon Xi’s comment, however mentioned the US was promoting weapons to Taiwan and backing “independence separatist forces”.
Von der Leyen’s spokesperson mentioned she didn’t disclose particulars about non-public conferences. The White Home didn’t remark.
Further reporting by Henry Foy in Brussels
