China demands that the U.S. cease support for Taiwan amid rising tensions.

In a context of growing geopolitical and military tension in the Indo-Pacific region, Wang Yi, China's top diplomat, has issued a strong call for the United States to cease its arms supply to Taiwan. In an official statement, Wang asserted that "Taiwan belongs to China and reunification is inevitable." He emphasized that Taiwan's pursuit of independence represents the "greatest risk" to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, urging Washington to honor its commitments not to support such independence. Wang's statement comes amid a significant visit to China by Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Advisor, who is on his first trip to the Asian country in eight years. Sullivan has stressed the importance of both nations "coexisting peacefully," suggesting that an increase in mutual understanding and a reduction of misunderstandings are necessary to mitigate the escalation of tensions, particularly concerning Taiwan. Since the assumption of the new Taiwanese president, William Lai, in May, China has intensified its military activities near the island. Beijing's rhetoric has become increasingly aggressive toward what it terms "Taiwanese secessionists," a term it uses to refer to any movement seeking formal independence for Taiwan. This situation is further complicated by the fact that Taiwan has operated as an autonomous entity since 1949, despite China's view of it as a "rebel province." During their meeting, Wang also addressed the growing tensions in the South China Sea, where China has had recent confrontations with the Philippines over disputed waters. Wang stated that China will "firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty" and criticized the United States for using bilateral treaties as a pretext to undermine China's rights in the region. Discussions between the two global powers, which the Chinese Foreign Ministry described as "frank, substantial, and constructive," also covered other global issues such as the war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and the Korean Peninsula. This dialogue seeks to not only address immediate conflicts but also to establish a broader framework for future cooperation. Additionally, there was mention of the intention to maintain high-level exchanges in various areas, including drug control, the repatriation of illegal immigrants, and the fight against climate change. This approach suggests that, despite significant differences on security issues, there is mutual recognition of the need for cooperation on global matters that affect both nations. Leaders from both countries, Xi Jinping and Joe Biden, had met last November in San Francisco, where they agreed on a series of measures aimed at stabilizing their relationship, which has been marked by tensions in trade, technology, and human rights. This meeting was seen as an attempt by both leaders to find common ground and mitigate risks in the increasingly competitive dynamics of recent years. However, the situation in Taiwan remains a critical point of friction. China's insistence on viewing Taiwan as part of its national territory contrasts with the island's desire to maintain its autonomy and the growing external pressure it receives from the United States, which has increased its military support for Taiwan in recent years. As both nations continue their negotiations, it remains to be seen whether diplomatic efforts will be sufficient to reduce tensions in the Taiwan Strait and in other areas of conflict in the region. The international community is watching closely, as any escalation in confrontation could have significant repercussions for regional and global stability.