US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a much-anticipated meeting in Beijing on Thursday morning. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, during the first day of the meeting at the Great Hall of the People, Chinese President Xi said that the Taiwan issue is the most important issue in bilateral relations.

“The Taiwan issue is the most important issue in China-US relations. If it can be handled properly, bilateral relations will be stable. Otherwise, there may be confrontation and conflict between the two countries, which will pose a risk to the overall relationship,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, quoting Xi. 

China considers Taiwan to be its integral territory. The US has repeatedly expressed its commitment to the one-China policy. However, it has also provided Taiwan with weapons and military assistance. The US provides such assistance under the ‘Taiwan Relations Act’ passed by the US Congress in 1979. Critics have called this a strategic ambiguity by the US. 

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the US position on Taiwan policy has not changed. “China always raises this issue and we always make our position clear. In our view, any coercion to change the status quo would be bad for both countries,” Rubio told NBC News in Beijing. “We have sold them (Taiwan) weapons in the past and the last time it was in place until December, so they (China) were disappointed. This is a decision for the president to make and a decision for Congress to pass. Congress will decide what to do about these issues and we will respond accordingly.”

After the meeting, Xi and Trump visited the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Where Xi briefed Trump on Chinese philosophy and the role the Communist Party has played in preserving it. Xi said that Chinese rulers hold events at the 600-year-old temple to pray for national prosperity, peace and favorable weather.

“The Chinese Communist Party has embraced and developed the people-centered philosophy and Chinese civilization,” the Chinese government said in a statement, quoting Xi. Not only with Trump, but also in his meetings with other world leaders, Xi has praised the splendor of Chinese history and culture. It has played a major role in justifying the Communist Party's rule as people-oriented and resisting Western pressure.

Xi had said that China's transformation and Trump's 'Make America Great Again' policy can go hand in hand. In response, Trump thanked Xi for the grand welcome. He appreciated the role played by the Chinese in the early development of America. 'The Chinese love basketball and wear blue jeans,' Trump said, 'The Chinese people and the Americans have a lot in common.' Trump and Xi will meet again on Friday. During that time, discussions and agreements are expected to be reached on issues such as the Iran war, trade, technology, and the import and export of agricultural products. 

American businessmen are excited 

The directors and CEOs of large American companies who came to visit with Trump have said that they should build good relations with China. Speaking briefly to reporters in Beijing, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said he wanted to achieve a lot in China. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said Chinese officials had been very good.

Big American technology companies and manufacturing houses depend on China for imports and exports. China, the world's second-largest economy, has 90 percent of the world's processed rare earth metals. Similarly, (60-70 percent) of rare earth metals are mined in China. 70 percent of rare earth metals imported into the United States come from China. They play a major role in the production of everything from smartphones to fighter jets in the technology industry.