China's top diplomat at meeting with US official urges Washington not to support Taiwan independence

China’s foreign minister has told U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan that Washington should stand by a commitment not to support independence for Taiwan, during talks between the world’s two largest economies in the Thai capital

BEIJING -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan that Washington should stand by a commitment not to support independence for Taiwan, during their high-level talks in the Thai capital, the Chinese foreign ministry said Saturday.

Wang said Taiwan's recent election did not change the fact that the island is part of China and the biggest challenge in U.S.-China relations is the issue of “Taiwan independence," according to a statement from the ministry.

U.S. President Joe Biden has said he does not support Taiwanese independence, but U.S. law requires a credible defense for Taiwan and for the U.S. to treat all threats to the island as matters of “grave concern.”

Wang also said both sides should use the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year as an opportunity to reflect on past experiences and treat each other as equals, rather than adopting a condescending attitude.

Both sides should "be committed to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, building a correct way for China and the U.S. to interact,” the statement quoted Wang as saying.