China warns US over Taiwan

During talks in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned US President Donald Trump that the Taiwan issue could lead to 'clashes and even conflicts' between China and the United States if not handled properly. Xi Jinping emphasized that safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is crucial for stable China-United States relations, stating that 'Taiwan independence' and cross-Strait peace are 'as irreconcilable as fire and water'. The discussions also touched upon broader themes of cooperation versus confrontation, with Xi Jinping questioning whether the two nations could avoid the 'Thucydides trap'. These remarks came amid existing tensions over trade, technology, and regional security, and followed the United States' approval of $11 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, which prompted China to conduct military drills around the island. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later downplayed Xi Jinping's warnings, indicating a continued firm stance from the United States.