Tensions are running high over a possible visit by senior Democrat lawmaker Nancy Pelosi.
| President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping confronted each other over Taiwan during a marathon phone call on Thursday , but neither side reported any concrete progress on that long-standing dispute or any of the other issues that have flared between the two powers.
The call took place as Ms Pelosi’s possible trip to Taiwan has raised hackles in Beijing, which has made ominous threats of retaliation if she goes through with it. No trip has been officially announced, but Ms Pelosi has asked other members of Congress to join her next month for what would be the first visit by a House speaker in 25 years to the self-governing island.
Tensions have been high in the region for months, as China has refused to join the US-led effort to isolate Russia, made assertive claims of control over the Taiwan Strait and engaged in several close. The war in Ukraine is being watched carefully for implications for Taiwan, another small neighbour coveted by a large and aggressive power.
China’s “zero-COVID” lockdown policies have been deeply unpopular, and the economy has slowed considerably, as youth unemployment is on the rise and mortgage and debt crises are afflicting some regions. Analysts said he wants to show that he can stand up to the United States heading into the congress.
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