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Xi Jinping claimed the US wants China to attack Taiwan, FT reports (www.yenisafak.com)

submitted 5 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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British daily Financial Times claims Xi issued the warning in meeting with Ursula von der Leyen in April 2023.

China's President Xi Jinping told European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen that Washington was trying to “goad Beijing into attacking Taiwan,” the Financial Times said on Saturday.

In a report based on information from people familiar with the matter, the British daily said Xi issued the warning in a meeting with von der Leyen in April 2023. She paid an official visit to China last year which coincided with the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron.

According to the newspaper, Xi said the US was trying to trick China into invading Taiwan, but that he would not take the bait.

The revelation comes as tensions are high across the Taiwan Strait. China responded to last month's inauguration of Lai Ching-te as Taiwan's new president with military drills around the island, which it claims as its own. Taipei, however, insists on its independence since 1949.

Xi's remarks are probably the first known case of him making the claim to a foreign leader.

The Chinese leader also said that a conflict with the US would undermine his goal of achieving a “great rejuvenation” by 2049.

US officials have, in recent years, increased engagement with Taiwan but the administration says it remains committed to its longstanding one-China policy.

At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore this month, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun said the country's military was ready to “forcefully” stop Taiwan's independence.

Earlier, the Foreign Ministry said those supporting independence for Taiwan would find themselves “crushed.”

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 5 months ago

How do you think the US tried to make China invade?

I think it's a bafflingly absurd claim. And I'm surprised some people wouldn't doubt it.

How does this fit into China invading and harassing other ships in international waters near Taiwan? Or China punishing Taiwans independent election results by doing military maneuvers around Taiwan, clearly showing force and threatening. And the constant reiterations of considering Taiwan as part of China. Integration of Taiwan is a clear and repeatedly voiced goal. Their willingness to use force was shown repeatedly; in Tibet, Hong Kong, and against minorities in their own established lands.

I don't see how with such a discrepancy believing the Chinese claims makes any sense. It's smoke and trying to influence and irritate the western nations and their alliances. Similar playbook to Russia.