Taiwan’s foreign ministry is closely monitoring Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first state visit to the United States later this week.
Taiwan’s state-run Central News Agency quoted an unnamed foreign ministry source in Taipei as saying that the ministry had set up an ad hoc committee to monitor the visit. Foreign Minister David Lin heads the committee, which also includes Taiwan’s representative to the United States and other officials.
Xi is set to arrive in the United States on Tuesday, local time. His trip will include a visit to the White House on Friday and a state dinner to be attended by both presidents and first ladies.
During their talks on Friday, the topic of Taiwan is likely to come to the fore. When asked about the possibility, a spokesman for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said that the Taiwan issue is “the most important, most sensitive issue in Sino-US relations.”
China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory, even though the two sides have been ruled separately for nearly 70 years. The United States has a “one China” policy, but is nevertheless required by law to provide Taiwan with the weapons it needs to defend itself.
It’s thought that China will press the United States avoid sending a mixed message about Taiwan during the run-up to Taiwan’s presidential election in January.
The foreign ministry in Taipei says that the United States will maintain an open channel of communication during Xi’s visit, offering reports during and after the trip.