Highlight: China's principled position on several major issues

On the afternoon of November 16 local time, President Xi Jinping met with US President Joe Biden upon request on the margins of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru.

At the meeting, Chinese President Xi made China's principled position absolutely clear on several major issues. Here are the highlights:

On the Taiwan question, President Xi Jinping stressed that the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués are the political foundation of China-US relations. They must be observed. Cross-Strait peace and stability and "Taiwan independence" separatist activities are irreconcilable as water and fire. If the US side cares about maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait, it is crucial that it sees clearly the true nature of Lai Ching-te and the DPP authorities in seeking "Taiwan independence," handles the Taiwan question with extra prudence, unequivocally opposes "Taiwan independence," and supports China's peaceful reunification.

On the South China Sea issue, President Xi stressed that China firmly upholds its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. Dialogue and consultation between states concerned is always the best way to manage differences in the South China Sea. The United States should not get involved in bilateral disputes over relevant islands and reefs of Nansha Qundao, nor should it aid or abet the impulsion to make provocations.

On US suppression against China's trade and technology development, President Xi noted that the Chinese people's right to development is not to be deprived of or ignored. All countries need to safeguard their national security. In the face of challenges, neither decoupling nor supply-chain disruption is the solution, and "small yard, high fences" is not what a major country should do. The US should not overstretch the national security concept, still less use it as a pretext for malicious moves to constrain and contain other countries.

On alleged "cyberattacks from China," President Xi noted that there is no evidence that supports the irrational claim and China itself is a target of international cyberattacks, and consistently opposes and combats all forms of cyberattacks.

On the US's smear and blame-shifting against China on international and regional issues, President Xi noted that China's position and actions on the Ukraine issue have always been fair and square. China conducts shuttle diplomacy and mediation to promote peace talks, makes every effort for peace, and strives for deescalation. China does not allow conflict and turmoil to happen on the Korean Peninsula, and will not sit idly by when China's strategic security and core interests are under threat.

President Xi in particular stressed that China's goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-US relationship remains unchanged. Its commitment to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation as principles for handling China-US relations remains unchanged. Its position of resolutely safeguarding China's sovereignty, security and development interests remains unchanged. And its desire to carry forward the traditional friendship between the Chinese and American peoples remains unchanged. This shows that China is ready to engage in dialogue, expand cooperation, and manage differences with the incoming US government so as to maintain stability in China-US relations to the benefits of the two countries and the world at large.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The People's Republic of China