Beijing, May 11, 2026
Chinese officials have underscored Taiwan as the central issue in U.S.-China relations ahead of a high-stakes meeting between the two countries' presidents later this week.
Diplomatic Tensions Over Taiwan
A Chinese summary of the meeting stressed that the self-ruling island was the "most important issue" in bilateral relations between Washington and Beijing. The statement reflects China's longstanding position that Taiwan is a breakaway province that must eventually be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.
The meeting is part of a packed week of diplomatic engagements, with the U.S. and Chinese presidents scheduled to hold talks in Beijing on Thursday and Friday. The discussions are expected to cover a range of contentious topics, including trade restrictions, technology controls, and regional security.