In a recent face-to-face meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden, tensions regarding the status of Taiwan emerged. While official readouts focused on areas of agreement, such as climate change, a report from NBC News reveals that Xi directly expressed China's intention to take control of Taiwan.

According to NBC, Xi asserted China's right to rule Taiwan and expressed a preference for a peaceful takeover rather than using force. The Chinese leader denied US intelligence claims that China would be ready to seize Taiwan by 2027, stating that the timing had not been decided.

These findings align with a report from Japanese outlet Nikkei, which characterized Xi's comments as an attempt to reduce tensions. While Xi emphasized that China was not planning military action, he outlined the conditions under which an attack would occur.

The context of this meeting is critical, as President Xi finds himself facing economic turmoil in China. Seeking to strengthen ties with the US and attract American investment, he attempted to ease concerns and present a peaceful approach to the Taiwan issue.

Taiwan, which declared independence from China's communist government after the 1940s civil war, has long been a point of contention between the two entities. Xi's recent speeches have intensified concerns, with US officials increasingly worried about China's potential use of force to gain control over Taiwan.

President Biden has publicly stated that the US would come to Taiwan's defense if it were attacked, albeit with some modifications made by the White House. The US has historically maintained a position of "strategic ambiguity" concerning Taiwan, acknowledging China's claims while hinting at its support for Taiwan's self-governance in case of an attack.

As Taiwan's elections draw near, tensions between Taiwan and mainland China have been escalating. The international community closely monitors the situation, with heightened awareness of the potential consequences of any conflicts or actions that may arise.

It remains to be seen how this recent meeting between Xi and Biden will impact the Taiwan issue and the larger dynamics between China and the United States. The importance of finding peaceful resolutions and fostering stability in the region cannot be overstated, as the consequences of any conflict would reverberate far beyond these borders.