Washington: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Tuesday that both the United States and China recognize the importance of maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait. This statement comes as the two nations’ leaders prepare for a meeting next week, where Taiwan is expected to be a key topic of discussion.

According to Focus Taiwan, Rubio made these comments during a White House press conference in response to a question about whether President Donald Trump plans to address China’s Taiwan policy during his upcoming visit. Rubio emphasized that Taiwan is a recurring topic in U.S.-China discussions and acknowledged that both nations understand the significance of avoiding destabilizing events in the region.

Rubio further explained that stability in the Taiwan Strait is in the mutual interest of both countries, highlighting the importance of preventing any disturbances in the Indo-Pacific area. This sentiment reflects the broader goals of the U.S. and China to maintain regional stability and avoid conflict.

President Trump is set to visit Beijing from May 14-15 for a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The meeting, originally scheduled for March, was delayed due to the Middle East conflict involving the U.S. and Israel. This summit marks Trump’s first visit to China during his second term.

In response to concerns about Taiwan’s role in the summit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Hsiao Kuangwei stated that Taipei will closely monitor the meeting’s developments. The Trump administration has reaffirmed its support for Taiwan, taking steps to uphold the U.S.’s long-standing policy toward the island. Hsiao also mentioned that the Taiwanese government remains in close contact with U.S. officials and policy experts regarding the potential topics at the Trump-Xi meeting.