Chinese President Xi Jinping personally urged U.S. President Joe Biden to modify the official language used to describe Washington’s policy towards Taiwan, according to a report by Reuters.
Two sources informed the news outlet that during a private meeting in San Francisco in November, Xi demanded the State Department revise public information materials to say, "we oppose Taiwan independence," instead of the current phrase, “the United States does not support independence for Taiwan.”
The individuals also claimed that several aides to Xi repeatedly followed up on the issue with administration officials.
When asked to comment on the request, a White House spokesperson said in a statement that the U.S. continues to reject Taipei’s claim to sovereignty while affirming the "Biden-Harris administration has been consistent on our long-standing One China policy."
The U.S. ended official relations with the Taiwanese government in 1979, but a law passed by Congress in the same year mandates assistance to the island nation in maintaining its national defense.
Related Story: Washington Approves $2 Billion Sale of Advanced Missile System to Taiwan
