Biden and Xi hold a phone call after tensions rise over a possible visit by Pelosi to Taiwan

The president of China, Xi Jinpingspoke on the phone this Thursday with his American counterpart, Joe Bidenamid tensions over a possible visit by the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, to Taiwan.

Biden indicated last week that the United States Army doesn’t think Pelosi’s visit is a good ideawhile Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Tan Kefei warned that the Chinese army will not stand idly by before the possible visit of a US representative to the island.

China considers Taiwan a rogue province, despite the fact that the island has declared its independence and has the support of the United States and the EU. In this context, the possible visit of Pelosi, which could take place in August, it would have a historical scope because it would be the first female president of the lower house of the United States Congress I would travel to Taiwan from Republican Newt Gingrich in 1997.

During the exchange between Biden and Xiwhich has lasted about two hoursaccording to the US network CNN, both have discussed, in what is their fifth conversation since February 2021, a variety of topics, from the tensions surrounding Taiwan up to the competition economy and the war in Ukraine.

Sincere and deep relationships

Chinese state media reports that both have perceived the call as a contact “sincere and deep“, although from Beijing they have warned Washington that “those who play with fire will perish in it.” “The United States is expected to have clear eyes on the matter,” according to CGTN, referring to Taiwan.

In this regard, President Xi has stressed that address and define relations between China and the United States in terms of “strategic competition” and “long-term” “rivalry” it would be “misunderstand” relationships between Beijing and Washington.

Another hot spot is the recent United States Navy aircraft carrier entrance ‘USS Ronald Reagan’ in the waters of the South China Sea, which has caused unrest in Beijing. In fact, the spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, Zhao Lijian, said on Thursday that this action by Washington is just a way of “showing muscle”.

“We can clearly see who is the greatest threat to peace and stability in the South China Sea and the Asia-Pacific region,” Lijian said, adding again, at another point in the press conference, that Beijing “firmly” opposes Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

“If the United States insists on going its own way, the Chinese military will never will sit idly by and crack down to thwart any attempts by outside forces to interfere and achieve ‘Taiwan independence,'” he said.

Open two-way communication

Prior to the call, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the Biden Administration is seeking “keep the lines of communication open with China and cooperate on issues where there are common ground,” while trying to improve areas where there is tension.

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“I would expect tensions in the South China Sea to be mediated as part of the president’s conversation,” Kirby said Wednesday, adding that Biden would reaffirm that there is no change in the US commitment to the ‘One only China’.

In fact, the Chinese state media have echoed these words of Biden to Xi during the call, as well as the US proposal for “an open line of communicationbetween the two nations. “The two sides should maintain communication at all levels,” added the Chinese side.