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Call between Xi and Biden won’t break China-US deadlock, observers say
- The conversation, expected to take place on Thursday, will focus on Taiwan, war in Ukraine and economic competition, according to White House official
- Experts say Biden might claim potential Taiwan trip by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is out of his control, but Beijing unlikely to be convinced
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An upcoming phone conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Joe Biden is unlikely to break the deadlock in China-US relations as tensions mount over US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s possible trip to Taiwan next month, according to Chinese diplomatic observers.
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The two leaders are expected to have their fifth exchange on Thursday, but Beijing has yet to confirm. The conversation will involve Taiwan, the war in Ukraine and economic competition, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday.
Beijing has strongly opposed Pelosi’s trip to the island, with Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian warning on Wednesday that the US would “bear the consequences” if Pelosi visited Taiwan.
When asked to confirm the phone call between Xi and Biden, Zhao said he had no information to offer.
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China condemns Taiwan visit by EU delegation and travel plans by US House Speaker Pelosi
China condemns Taiwan visit by EU delegation and travel plans by US House Speaker Pelosi
Lu Xiang, an expert on US-China relations at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), said Pelosi’s trip would “destroy the status quo of cross-strait relations, which would propel the current game into a new game”.
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