Biden-Xi talks: US says opposed to 'unilateral effort' to change Taiwan

US president Joe Biden has told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that the US is strongly opposed to "unilateral efforts" to change the status quo or undermine peace across Taiwan. The remarks were made during the two leaders' first virtual summit. Mr Biden and Mr Xi also discussed other controversial issues like China's practices in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. These are the most substantial discussions both leaders have had since Mr Biden took office in January.


Mr Xi, meanwhile, issued a warning to Mr Biden that US support for Taiwanese independence was like "playing with fire.... and those who play with fire will get burned", according to Chinese state media quoted by Reuters. The White House said that President Biden "underscored that the United States remains committed to the 'One China' policy". "[It] strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."

The One China policy is a cornerstone of Sino-US relations. Under this, the US recognises and has formal ties with China rather than the island of Taiwan, which China sees as a breakaway province to be reunified with the mainland one day.

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