In a recent meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden, Xi conveyed his intention to end Taiwan's de facto independence, stating that Beijing plans to reunify Taiwan with mainland China, but the timing has not yet been decided. This information was disclosed by three current and former US officials briefed on the meeting, as reported by NBC News on Wednesday.

The meeting took place on November 15 in San Francisco, with a dozen US and Chinese officials in attendance. The White House did not deny the exchange between the two leaders. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated that he would not disclose the specifics of their conversation. However, he acknowledged that President Xi has been public and clear about his desire for reunification, emphasizing that the US will continue to adhere to its "One China" policy, which does not recognize Taiwan as an independent state.

President Xi reaffirmed China's preference for a peaceful resolution to the Taiwan issue, rather than resorting to force. He dismissed claims made by some US military leaders, who speculated that he would take Taiwan by 2025 or 2027, stating that no specific timeline has been set. Xi's government has emphasized its commitment to an expansionist foreign policy, including claiming ownership of disputed islands in the South China Sea and curtailing Hong Kong's political autonomy.

Taiwan, with a population of over 23 million, has been self-governing since the Chinese civil war in 1949. However, China views Taiwan as a renegade province that must be brought back under its control. President Tsai Ing-wen has been vocal about Taiwan's independence, further stoking tensions between Taipei and Beijing.

US-China relations, including the Taiwan issue, are expected to be significant topics in the upcoming presidential election. Critics of President Biden argue that he is not taking a tough enough stance on issues such as fentanyl exports, which have contributed to record-high drug overdose deaths in the US. They also point to the involvement of Biden's son, Hunter Biden, and brother, James Biden, in business ventures with Chinese state-linked entities from 2013 to 2021, which has become a focal point of a House impeachment inquiry.

Former President Donald Trump, who is seeking a rematch against Biden, previously claimed that Biden had been "bribed and now he's being blackmailed" by China. Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have criticized Biden's approach towards Beijing, suggesting that business relationships involving Hunter and James Biden may have influenced his stance.

As of now, the Chinese Embassy in Washington has not responded to requests for comment regarding President Xi's warning to President Biden. Both leaders have highlighted their commitment to maintaining stability and avoiding hostilities in their respective statements, but the future direction of US-China relations remains uncertain, particularly in relation to Taiwan's status.