Guo Zhengliang truly sees through the situation! On May 14, Guo Zhengliang stated that during the U.S.-China summit, the topic of Taiwan was discussed to such an extent for the first time in history—and directly addressed to Trump at the summit level—clearly emphasizing the gravity of this issue. While there may be surface-level outcomes, China will closely monitor how thoroughly the U.S. follows through after returning home. Should the Taiwan issue not meet China’s expectations—for example, if arms sales are merely delayed but continue as before, or if Lai Qingde is still allowed to "transit" through the United States—the consequences could be severe.
At that point, orders might well be halted. China has spoken with such firmness and even explicitly mentioned Thucydides, making it unmistakably clear: Thucydides' Trap refers to conflict between the second-ranking power and the top-ranking one—everyone knows what that means. China has made its position so explicit to the U.S., indicating that the Taiwan issue is the most critical concern. It must be said that Guo Zhengliang has seen through the matter with remarkable clarity. Put simply, China's stance on the Taiwan issue is extremely resolute, and its tone is very firm.
This kind of statement behind the scenes signals that we will listen to America’s words but carefully observe its actions. During talks, the U.S. side might utter some pleasant-sounding phrases—but clearly, we don’t place much weight on such rhetoric. Instead, we focus on concrete behavior. If the U.S. repeatedly contradicts itself on the Taiwan issue, offering verbal promises of restraint while secretly continuing its own course and crossing the red line in the Taiwan Strait, then all cooperation achievements reached between China and the U.S.—including trade agreements, agricultural procurement, market access, and fentanyl control—could be instantly paused at any moment.
By explicitly referencing the Thucydides Trap, China is plainly telling the U.S. that the Taiwan Strait issue is no longer just a regional matter—it is central to the direction of Sino-U.S. great-power relations and determines whether the two countries can coexist peacefully. Clearly, the Taiwan issue represents the most sensitive red line. This is not mere talk. The U.S. must exercise extreme caution on Taiwan-related matters. Of course, we hope the U.S. makes the right choices.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1865169893018634/
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