Chinese President Xi Jinping warns Trump’s mishandling of Taiwan could spark conflict, Taipei responds by calling China the ‘sole risk to regional peace’

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reacted strongly to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s remarks about Taiwan during his meeting with US President Donald Trump. Jinping had asserted that Taiwan was the “most important issue” in US-China relations. In a strong counter to Jinping’s statement, Taiwan on Thursday (14th May) said that China is the “sole risk to regional peace and stability”. The Ministry emphasised that China and Taiwan are not subordinate to each other, and that the former has no right to represent Taiwan in any international arena. It added that Taiwan would continue to cooperate with the US and other countries that uphold freedom and democracy.

Jinping’s statement came during his meeting with Trump in Beijing on Thursday. While Xi hailed the US-China relationship, saying “we must make it work and never mess it up”. However, he also cautioned the US against interfering in the Taiwan issue.

“If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy,” Xi was quoted as saying by a Xinhua News Agency with respect to the Taiwan issue. “A stable China-U.S. relationship is a boon for the world. Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both. We should be partners and not rivals,” Xi said.

Notably, China lays its claim on Taiwan, which is a self-governing state, and considers it part of its territory, aiming to merge it in the future.

Trump says China opposes Iran’s nuclear programme, China calls the Taiwan issue most important

A readout from the bilateral meeting between Jinping and Trump stated that the two leaders discussed issues, including the expansion of the US business in China, increasing Chinese investment in the US, stopping the flow of fentanyl into the US, and increasing the Chinese purchase of American agricultural products.

From the Bilateral Meeting in Beijing:

President Trump had a good meeting with President Xi of China. pic.twitter.com/WaH8hR1ZV3

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 14, 2026

Importantly, China has expressed interest in the purchase of US oil to reduce its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz. China also agreed with the US on the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and in opposing Iran’s nuclear programme.

While Xi Jinping claimed that the US-China economic ties were a win-win situation, Taiwan’s cabinet spokeswoman, Michelle Lee, reiterated that the US has repeatedly been in support of the sovereign status of Taiwan.