Image: from Rudaw English X @RudawEnglish
By Open Chronicle with agencies
Chinese President Xi Jinping warned United States President Donald Trump that mishandling the issue of Taiwan could lead to “clashes and even conflicts” between the two global powers, as the leaders opened a high-stakes summit in Beijing on Thursday.
The summit, held at the Great Hall of the People overlooking Tiananmen Square, marks the first visit by a sitting US president to China in nearly nine years and comes amid mounting geopolitical tensions linked to trade disputes, artificial intelligence competition, and instability in the Middle East.
🇨🇳🇺🇸 Xi Tells Trump: Taiwan Could Mean War.
At the Beijing summit today, Xi Jinping told Donald Trump directly that, Taiwan is "the most important issue in China-US relations" –
and
that, if mishandled, "the two nations could collide or even come into conflict, pushing the… pic.twitter.com/mRrW81NOoY— Street & Sensex (@StreetSensex) May 14, 2026
Taiwan Dominates Early Talks
According to Chinese officials, Xi described Taiwan as “the most important issue” in relations between Beijing and Washington.
“If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts,” Xi reportedly told Trump during closed-door talks.
The warning highlights the continuing centrality of Taiwan in US-China relations.
China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has intensified military pressure around the island in recent years, while the United States remains Taipei’s primary international military supporter.
Taiwanese officials responded cautiously to the summit, stating that Washington had repeatedly reaffirmed its support for Taiwan and regional stability.
Trump Focuses on Trade and Economic Cooperation
Despite the tensions, Trump emphasized economic cooperation and praised Xi during the opening stages of the visit.
“That was an honor like few have ever seen before,” Trump reportedly told Xi during their meeting, describing the Chinese leader as a longtime counterpart with whom he had built a strong relationship.
Trump arrived in Beijing accompanied by several prominent American business executives, including Elon Musk, Tim Cook and Jensen Huang.
The American delegation is expected to discuss trade, semiconductor exports, rare earth minerals and expanded market access for US companies operating in China.
Ahead of the summit, Trump said he intended to ask Xi to further “open up” China to American businesses.
Iran War and Global Energy Crisis Loom Over Summit
The summit also takes place against the backdrop of continuing instability linked to the conflict involving Iran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump is reportedly seeking Beijing’s help in pressuring Tehran to reduce tensions and restore maritime traffic through the Gulf.
China, meanwhile, is attempting to present itself as a stable global power amid growing uncertainty surrounding Western alliances and energy markets.
Analysts say Beijing sees the summit as an opportunity to strengthen its diplomatic leverage while stabilizing ties with Washington without making major strategic concessions.
Ceremony Marked by Diplomatic Symbolism
The opening ceremony reflected the significance China attached to Trump’s visit.
Trump was greeted with military honors, red carpets, marching troops and schoolchildren waving American and Chinese flags during a lavish reception at the Great Hall of the People.
Observers noted that while the ceremonial structure resembled Trump’s 2017 visit to China, the interactions between the two leaders appeared more relaxed and personal this time.
The two presidents later visited the historic Temple of Heaven before attending a formal state dinner hosted by Xi.
Expectations Remain Limited
Despite the high-profile nature of the summit, analysts caution that expectations for major breakthroughs remain modest.
Key disagreements continue over Taiwan, trade restrictions, technology competition and China’s relationships with countries such as Iran and Russia.
Experts say both leaders appear focused primarily on stabilizing relations and avoiding further escalation rather than attempting a comprehensive reset.
The meetings between Trump and Xi are scheduled to continue through Friday.