China has reiterated four “red lines” in its relationship with the United States ahead of President Donald Trump’s two-day visit to Beijing for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
In a post on X, the Chinese Embassy in the US said the four issues that “must not be challenged” are Taiwan, democracy and human rights, political systems, and China’s development rights.
The embassy also said China and the US should work toward a “strategic, constructive and stable” relationship based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.
Xi had first outlined the four red lines during a meeting with former US President Joe Biden in November 2024.
Taiwan is expected to be a major topic during the summit. China views the democratically governed island as part of its territory and strongly opposes US arms sales to Taipei.
Chinese official Zhang Han said Beijing firmly opposed any form of military ties between the US and Taiwan and described the island as the “core of China’s core interests”.
The US follows a “One China” policy and does not formally recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state, but American law requires Washington to provide Taiwan with defensive support.
In December, the Trump administration approved an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan, the largest such package announced so far.
Other issues expected to be discussed during the summit include rare-earth export controls, artificial intelligence competition, and trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
Trump’s visit to China is his first since 2017 and comes as his broader trade agenda has faced legal setbacks in US courts. Reports said the trip could also focus on trade deals involving agricultural products, beef, and Boeing aircraft.