China's Xi Jinping to urge US halt arms sales to Taiwan in meeting with Trump

China: China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a major global power governed by the Communist Party that asserts sovereignty over Taiwan as a core interest tied to territorial integrity. It has never renounced the potential use of force for reunification while preferring peaceful means and routinely criticizes foreign engagements with Taipei. In this news, China is preparing for President Xi Jinping's meeting with US President Donald Trump to press for an end to American arms sales to Taiwan. Taiwan: Taiwan, formally the Republic of China, is a thriving democracy that strongly rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims and maintains it is already an independent country with the right to international engagement. Its government notes that the People's Republic of China has never ruled the island. The news centers on Taiwan's position amid escalating tensions with China and US support for its defense. Xi Jinping: Xi Jinping serves as President of China and leader of the Communist Party, directing the country's foreign policy priorities. He is expected to emphasize halting US arms sales to Taiwan during his upcoming meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington. This reflects Taiwan's status as China's most sensitive issue in bilateral relations. Donald Trump: Donald Trump is the President of the United States, overseeing American foreign policy including engagement with China and Taiwan. He is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, where the topic of arms sales to Taiwan is anticipated. The US maintains close unofficial ties with Taiwan while following the One China policy. Lai Ching-te: Lai Ching-te is the President of Taiwan who has repeatedly offered dialogue with China on cross-strait issues. China refuses to recognize him as president and labels him a separatist while rejecting his assertions of Taiwan's existing independence. His stance features prominently in the news as part of Taiwan's rejection of Beijing's claims. Tsai Ing-wen: Tsai Ing-wen is the former President of Taiwan who engaged in early diplomatic outreach with the United States. In late 2016 she held a phone call with then President-elect Donald Trump that prompted only a mild Chinese response. She is referenced in the news in the context of historical US-Taiwan interactions. US Policy: The United States maintains a One China policy, severed official ties with Taipei in 1979, and is bound by the Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan with defensive capabilities while taking no position on its sovereignty. Taiwan Stance: Taiwan asserts it is already independent under the name Republic of China, has never been ruled by the People's Republic of China, and seeks to engage freely with the international community while rejecting Beijing's sovereignty claims. Chinese Position: Beijing describes Taiwan as its core of core interests and a red line, viewing it as an unresolved issue from the Chinese civil war and criticizing any foreign interference in what it considers internal affairs.