After Mutual Praise, Xi Jinping Issues Stern Warning to Trump on Taiwan

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a stern warning regarding the potential for “clash or even conflict” with the United States over the Taiwan issue. Xi reminded President Donald Trump that tensions over the island claimed by Beijing could endanger relations between the world’s two largest economic powers.

This firm warning was delivered during the leaders’ high-level meeting in Beijing at the start of their two-day summit on Thursday (14/5/2026). The atmosphere contrasted with the public praise exchanged by both leaders upon arrival at the grand welcoming ceremony in the Great Hall of the People, China’s capital.

These competing superpowers entered the summit with sharp differences on several complex issues, including Taiwan, trade disputes, and the Iran war. Nevertheless, both Washington and Beijing sought to prioritise stability in bilateral relations following a turbulent start to Trump’s second term.

Taiwan as a red line

One ongoing source of tension is Taiwan. According to a report from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited by NBC News, Xi emphasised to Trump that Taiwan is the most important issue in US-China relations.

Xi stated that if this issue is handled correctly, relations between the two countries can remain “generally stable”. “If not, the two countries will face clash or even conflict, placing the entire relationship in great danger,” Xi told Trump according to Beijing’s official release.

The Taiwan issue is expected to be a main agenda item during Trump’s two-day state visit—the first by a US president to China since his last visit in 2017 during his first term.