Taiwan issue could trigger conflict if mishandled, Xi tells Trump

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping told US President Donald Trump that the Taiwan issue remains the most sensitive and central matter in China-US relations, and warned that mishandling it could lead to confrontation and jeopardise overall ties, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.

In a statement social media platform X, Mao said that Xi stressed that if the Taiwan question is handled properly, bilateral relations would remain stable, but if not, it could lead to clashes and even conflict between the two countries.

She said that Xi described “Taiwan independence” and cross-strait peace as “as irreconcilable as fire and water,” adding that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait represents the “biggest common denominator” between Beijing and Washington.

In a separate post, Mao Ning said Xi also told Trump that trade wars produce no winners, and reiterated that China-US economic ties are “mutually beneficial and win-win in nature.”

President Xi stressed to President Trump that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations. If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting… pic.twitter.com/gqji6lEfL7

— Mao Ning 毛宁 (@SpoxCHN_MaoNing) May 14, 2026

She said Xi stressed that differences between the two sides should be managed through equal-footed consultations, adding that recent discussions between their economic teams had produced “generally balanced and positive outcomes.”

Mao said the results were “good news for the people of the two countries and the world,” and called on both sides to maintain the positive momentum achieved in bilateral engagement.

China and the United States have long been at odds over Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory, as well as over trade, technology and regional security issues.

Earlier, Xi Jinping welcomed what he described as positive progress in trade negotiations with the United States as he opened a high-stakes two-day summit with Trump in Beijing.

The visit marks the first trip to China by a sitting US president since Trump’s previous visit in 2017 and comes at a politically sensitive time for the US leader, whose approval ratings have been affected by Washington’s involvement in the Middle East conflict.

“You’re a great leader, sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway,” Trump told Xi during a lavish welcoming ceremony at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, featuring an honour guard and children waving Chinese and American flags.

“There are those who say this may be the biggest summit ever,” Trump said. “It’s an honour to be with you. It’s an honour to be your friend and the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before.”

Xi, in his opening remarks, said a stable relationship between China and the United States benefits the entire world.

“When we cooperate, both sides benefit; when we confront each other, both sides suffer,” Xi said.

According to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency, Xi also said preparatory trade talks held by economic teams from both countries in South Korea on Wednesday had produced an “overall balanced and positive outcome”.