Wang calls Taiwan ‘biggest risk factor’ in Beijing-Washington ties during Rubio call

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi conveyed a stark warning to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a phone call on Thursday, labeling Taiwan as "the biggest risk factor in China-US relations," as reported by state broadcaster CCTV. The discussion was explicitly framed as groundwork for a high-stakes summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, expected to take place in Beijing in mid-May. The call reflects Beijing's strategy of reaffirming its red lines before any top-level engagement, with Wang insisting that the US must "honor its commitments" and "make the right choice" to prevent further deterioration in bilateral ties.

The timing is critical: the call comes just weeks before the anticipated Trump-Xi meeting, and signals that China intends to keep the Taiwan issue at the forefront of any broader dialogue on trade, technology, and global stability. Wang emphasized that the Taiwan question touches China's "core interests" and that any US deviation from the one-China policy could derail the fragile recovery in relations. The call also touched on "thorough preparations" for multiple possible Xi-Trump meetings in 2026, though no specific dates were confirmed. Analysts view this as Beijing's attempt to manage expectations and secure US commitments on Taiwan before the summit, while the Trump administration balances domestic pressure and strategic competition.