US says China rejected decades-old understanding on Taiwan

The US top diplomat said China has now rejected the understanding it has with Washington over issues related to Taiwan. This comes as China has not ruled out using force to invade the island nation.

Speaking at an event organized by Bloomberg News Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said China has now altered the understanding it has with the US on dealing with issues surrounding Taiwan. Blinken added that Beijing has decided to ramp up its pressure campaign on the island nation, including the possibility of using military force to control Taiwan, which it claims as its territory.

“What’s changed is this – a decision by the government in Beijing that that status quo was no longer acceptable, that they wanted to speed up the process by which they would pursue reunification,” said Blinken, referring to a 40-year-old agreement in which Washington recognized China under the One China Policy while being able to provide Taiwan with weapons it needs to defend itself. Blinken said the agreement ensured that there would be no conflict between China and the US.

“That is what has fundamentally changed,” said Blinken.

Blinken noted that the US did not want a “Cold War” and was not trying to restrain China but that Washington would continue to defend its interests. Blinken warned that any disruption to Taiwan and its economy should be of concern to the whole world, as the island nation has become a world power in the production of semiconductors.

The top US diplomat’s comments follow Chinese President Xi Jinping winning a third term last week during the Congress of China’s ruling Communist Party. Blinken’s comments also follow Beijing’s statements that it would not renounce the use of force to take over the island.

Taiwan and its democratic government have repeatedly rejected China’s claims of sovereignty.

Xi said China and the US must find a way to “get along,” saying that it would help safeguard world peace and development in a letter to the annual gala of the National Committee on US-China Relations, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV Thursday.

“As major powers, strengthening communication and cooperation between China and the US will help to increase global stability and certainty, promote peace and development,” said Xi.