Ahead of Xi-Biden meet, China asks US to oppose any 'Taiwan independence' moves

Ahe of virtual summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Joe Biden next week, Beijing on Saturday asked Washington to stop supporting Taiwan's independence, stating that two countries should meet halfway to repair bilateral ties.

Xi is set to hold a virtual meeting with Biden on Tuesday morning, during which leers will exchange opinions on China-US relations and issues of common concern. Xi and Biden have so far h two lengthy phone conversations this year as part of an effort to ensure stability amid ir consequential and fraught relationships.

Ahe of much-anticipated meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China and US should meet each or halfway to ensure a successful virtual summit and restore bilateral ties.

Wang me remarks in a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday, as per Xinhua news ncy reports.

Speaking of Taiwan, which China claims as part of its mainland, Wang said that history and reality have proven that "Taiwan independence" is biggest threat to peace and stability of region. Any support to "Taiwan independence" will dam regional peace and eventually cause dam to itself, he said.

Wang urged US to state its opposition to any "Taiwan independence" moves clearly, and firmly uphold commitments me in three China-US joint communique. He also called on US to stick to its one-China policy with concrete actions inste of sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces.

Blinken h earlier stated that both sides are fully prepared for summit as it will garner great attention around world.

On Friday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that President Biden will discuss with President Xi ways to responsibly man competition between US and China, as well as ways to work toger where our interests align.

Turbulent relations between China and US

Tensions between two countries deepened since two leers h a phone call in September, following surprise anuncement of AUKUS military alliance between US, Britain, and Australia, to counter China's growing military presence in Asia-Pacific, as well as US firming up Qu alliance with Australia, India, and Japan. America has also been expanding ties with Taiwanese government officials.

Ahe of summit, two countries, which are top two global emitters of greenhouse gases, toger accounting for about 40% of world's annual carbon output, reached a surprise agreement to cooperate on limiting emissions to dress global climate crisis.

It was seen as a major diplomatic breakthrough between two countries as ir current state of relations is going through turbulent times with Biden mostly carrying forward his predecessor Donald Trump's tough policy towards Beijing.