The current moment in New York highlights a sharp stance from Beijing toward the United States over Taiwan. In the days surrounding the United Nations General Assembly, Beijing emphasized that any interference in China’s internal affairs would be met with decisive response. The Chinese foreign minister’s remarks underscored a warning that the reunification of Taiwan cannot be delayed, with a clear message that the wheels of history will move to oppose foreign attempts to alter the course of events on the island. This line came after a recent, lengthy conversation in Washington with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during which Washington’s signals about Taiwan were condemned as dangerous and misleading. The emphasis from Beijing was not on hedging, but on asserting a stronger stance against what Beijing views as external meddling in its core sovereignty.
The rhetoric carried into the New York debate as the Xi Jinping government reaffirmed a hard line on Taiwan. The foreign minister asserted that lasting peace in the Taiwan Strait is achievable only if China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are fully respected. The message stressed that reunification remains a central objective and that any attempt to change the status quo through external pressure would be resisted vigorously.
No criticism of Russia
As world leaders assemble in New York to discuss the war in Europe, China’s position on Moscow’s actions is evident without explicit references. The foreign minister indicated that Beijing supports efforts toward a peaceful resolution with Russia, while calling for a balanced and sustainable security framework that would reduce risk and prevent further escalation. The emphasis was on dialogue and coexistence rather than confrontation, with Beijing urging restraint from all parties and highlighting the danger of proxy conflicts that draw in wider regional powers.
In laying out its view of the European conflict, the Chinese delegation noted that turbulence and war can create wider repercussions that spill beyond immediate borders. The message suggested that no country should use its power to harass others or to destabilize neighboring states. It argued that responsibility lies with all nations to seek peaceful, lawful outcomes rather than unilateral coercion.
In response to a global dialogue on human rights, the Chinese delegation defended its record by affirming adherence to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Beijing argued that its efforts focus on protecting and strengthening rights and on preventing politicization of human rights questions. The stance implied a refusal to let external pressure redefine China’s domestic policies, while inviting international observers to consider China’s security and development needs alongside human rights concerns. The overall tone stressed steadiness, the importance of sovereignty, and a preference for constructive engagement over confrontation, as reflected in its New York diplomacy.