Trump-Xi Summit Rescheduled On May 14-15 In Beijing Worries Japan And Taiwan

By Nitya Chakraborty

U.S. President Donald Trump finally rescheduled his much awaited visit to China on May 14 and 15 by announcing in his Truth Social there by creating big interest in the diplomatic circles about the possibility of a sort of ceasefire in the current West Asian war before the scheduled trip to Beijing. Earlier Trump was scheduled to visit China on March31- April 2 but he postponed that by talking to the Chinese President Xi Jinping about his preoccupation in the Iran war.

This rescheduling of the crucial visit of the US President in the midst of the continuing war in West Asia as also the peace moves by Trump, underlines how much importance Trump gives to the US relations with China. Trump is anxious to meet Xi Jinping as early as possible. He does not want to create any uncertainty even during the present war situation about the coming visit. So he announced the rescheduling on Wednesday saying “I look forward to spending time with President Xi in what will be, I am sure, a Monumental Event”.

Interestingly, for the last few days, the Chinese foreign ministry sources and the official media have been talking of the need for close collaboration between USA and China in every sphere, especially economic while maintaining the position that US has violated the UN regulations and the international rules by attacking Iran . China has been in touch with the Iranian officials, especially the Iranian foreign minister and has been advocating for a dialogue to end the war. In the last two days, the interaction has been more in the context of the 15 point peace plan proposed by Trump and Tehran’s counter proposal. China has also refused Trump’s request to help in the opening up of the Strait of Hormuz.

Significantly, one day after the announcement by Trump of his rescheduled visit to China on May 14 and 15, Chinese official daily Global Times has come out with an editorial on Thursday, March 26 saying” History has repeatedly shown that both China and the US stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. China has emphasized on many occasions that the issue of strategic perception is always fundamental to the China-US relationship, just like the first button of a shirt that must be put right. If that button is misaligned, all subsequent efforts will go astray. China’s policy toward the US has remained consistent, stable, and predictable, emphasizing mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, and serving as a steady and reliable force for improving bilateral relations. Washington needs to make greater efforts to discard its biases toward China, better understand China’s realities, and recognize the long-term trajectory of China’s economic and social development.”

The focus is more on business and trade cooperation from Chinese perspective. GTsays, the business communities and civil organizations of China and the US have maintained close communication, and the people from both countries share a strong desire for mutual understanding and friendly interaction. Hopefully, US policymakers will spend more time visiting and observing China firsthand. Only when “seeing what’s happening in China” becomes action rather than advice can US decision-makers shed arrogance, correct biases, and recalibrate their perceptions through direct engagement.

As things stand now, China watchers say that Trump will try to get maximum concessions on key minerals needed for semi conductor and other high tech industries in USA and in the process, he may give some political concessions to China on Taiwan. Both Japan and Taiwan are worried at this. The new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in her recent meeting with President Trump in the White House did not get the support on Taiwan issue which she expected, though officially Japanese officials said that Japan was on the same page as the US regarding Taiwan. s

Diplomatic row between Japan and China escalated this week after a Japanese army officer was accused of breaking into the Chinese embassy in Tokyo, prompting a sharp rebuke from Beijing. China went on to describe the incident as a “forceful break-in” by an active-duty officer of the Japan Self-Defence Forces. Japan also official lodged protest at the Chinese stance.

The incident took place at a time when ties between China and Japan have deteriorated in recent months. The main catalyst for the downfall was Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments about the self-ruled island of Taiwan last November. The arch-conservative leader, only elected in October last year, suggested that Japan may use military intervention if China were to attack Taiwan. Trump took exception to this stand of Takaichi and asked her for restraint vis a vis China on the issue of mentioning Taiwan. That way, both Taiwan and Japan are waiting with anxiety at the outcome of Trump-Xi talks in mid May this year. (IPA Service)

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