Chinese President Xi Jinping told his American counterpart Joe Biden on Monday that the world is big enough for their two countries to prosper, but he also warned the US against crossing the “red line” represented by the Taiwan issue, AFP and Agerpres reported.

Xi Jinping and Joe BidenPhoto: Saul Loeb / AFP / Profimedia Images

“Under the current circumstances, China and the US have more, not less, common interests,” Xi told Biden during their three-hour meeting in Bali, Indonesia, according to a statement from China’s foreign ministry.

Beijing does not seek to challenge the US or “change the existing international order,” Xi added, calling for “mutual respect” between the two sides, according to the statement.

“Resolving the Taiwan issue is a problem for the Chinese,” warns Xi Jinping

However, Xi warned Biden against crossing the “red line” on the issue of the autonomous island of Taiwan, which is claimed by the Chinese government.

“The Taiwan issue lies at the core of China’s core interests, is the political foundation of China-US relations, and is the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-US relations,” Xi told Biden, according to China’s Foreign Ministry. affairs, adding that “the solution to the Taiwan question is the Chinese question.”

The two leaders also discussed the situation in Ukraine, with Xi telling Biden that Beijing was “deeply concerned” about the conflict.

“China has always been on the side of peace and will continue to encourage peace talks,” the Chinese leader said. “We support and hope for the resumption of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine,” added Xi Jinping.

This was the first meeting between the leaders of the two warring states after the election of President Biden as the President of the United States and it took place on the eve of the G20 summit, which will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday on the Indonesian island of Bali.

The rivalry between the world’s two largest economies has intensified over the past three years as China gains power and security, again challenging American leadership and the post-World War II geopolitical landscape.

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