In a phone call.. Chinese President to Biden: Taiwan is a ‘red line’

Baghdad, A high-level Representative of the US Administration announced on Tuesday that US President Joe Biden held a telephone conversation with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping about relations between Washington and Beijing. She said that the two leaders reviewed "the bilateral relationship between the United States and China, the continued importance of strengthening communication channels, responsible management of competition (between Washington and Beijing), and a range of regional and global issues." The US Administration Representative also indicated that the phone conversation was also "an opportunity to discuss problems outside bilateral relations." In addition, Biden reaffirmed America's commitment to the "One China Policy" and stressed "the need to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, especially ahead of the inauguration" of Taipei's next president, Lai Chengde, which is expected to take place on May 20. The US Administration Representative continued: "President Biden informed President Xi Jinping of his 'concern about unfair economic practices' and conveyed to him that Washington will continue to 'take measures to protect its economic and national security interests.' For his part, the Chinese President assured his American counterpart that the Taiwan issue is a "red line" in relations between the People's Republic of China and the United States, and Beijing will not turn a blind eye to any external support to encourage its independence. Xi Jinping stressed that China and the United States should strengthen dialogue, resolve differences, and enhance international coordination between the two countries. On November 15, 2023, Biden and Xi Jinping met in a suburb of San Francisco, during the Chinese President's first visit to the United States in six years. As Xinhua reported at the time, the two leaders agreed to 'restore high-level contacts between the armed forces of the two countries on the basis of equality and respect,' and working meetings were held between the Defense Min isters of the People's Republic of China and the United States, as a mechanism for consultation on maritime security issues and talks by telephone were held between the commanders of the combat command sectors. Source: National Iraqi News Agency