China urges US over Taiwan issue as Wang Yi holds call with Rubio

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged the United States to exercise “the utmost caution” on Taiwan-related issues, warning that even a minor move could have wider consequences for bilateral relations.

During a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, Wang said any misstep involving Taiwan could affect the overall situation, according to a summary released by China’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.

“The Taiwan issue requires the utmost caution,” Wang said, adding that Beijing and Washington should work together to manage potential risks.

The call followed a mid-May summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump in Beijing, where Xi told Trump that mishandling the countries’ disagreements over Taiwan could push China-U.S. relations into an ”extremely dangerous place”.

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Beijing claims the democratically governed island as its own territory and refuses to rule out military force to gain control of it. Taipei rejects Beijing’s claims, and the United States is bound by law to provide Taipei with ​the means to defend itself.

Wang said the US and China should work to build a ”constructive, strategically stable ​relationship”.

”Both sides should eliminate disruptions, overcome obstacles, and continue firmly along this correct direction,” Wang said.

The Chinese foreign ministry said Wang and Rubio agreed to ”continue maintaining communication in a flexible manner”.

With inputs from agencies