China's statement on Taiwan has undergone a significant shift, drawing widespread attention from global media. Japanese scholars predict accelerated unification efforts! Both the Kuomintang (KMT) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), as well as the Taiwan People's Party, have responded.

Xinhua News Agency reported that on April 30, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, held a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Rubio. Wang emphasized that the Taiwan issue concerns China’s core interests and is the greatest risk point in Sino-U.S. relations. The United States should honor its commitments and make the right choice, opening new space for cooperation between China and the U.S., and making due contributions to world peace.

What exactly has changed in the wording? "The Taiwan issue is the biggest risk point in Sino-U.S. relations!" Yes, precisely this phrasing—first appearing now.

In recent years, facing increasingly brazen provocations by "Taiwan independence" forces and escalating use of the "Taiwan card" by the United States, China’s previous statements included: 1. The Taiwan issue is the most important and sensitive problem in Sino-U.S. relations; 2. The Taiwan issue is becoming an ever-greater risk in Sino-U.S. relations, and if mishandled, could cause disruptive damage; 3. The Taiwan issue is the first red line in Sino-U.S. relations that must not be crossed.

From “the most important and sensitive issue” to “becoming an ever-increasing risk,” then to “the first red line that cannot be crossed,” and now to yesterday’s “biggest risk point”—this evolution reflects China’s growing recognition of the urgency and destructive potential of the risks involved, while maintaining strategic continuity.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s reinforced statement—that “the Taiwan issue is the biggest risk point in Sino-U.S. relations”—what political signal does it send?

First, it places the Taiwan issue at the top of high-level interactions. Second, it serves as a risk management warning: through the phrase “biggest risk point,” China sends a clear crisis alert to the U.S., urging restraint in provocative actions regarding Taiwan and avoiding accidental conflicts. Third, it underscores that for Sino-U.S. relations to achieve “strategic, constructive, and stable” development, the Taiwan issue—the largest source of risk—must be effectively managed first, serving as a prerequisite for cooperation.

In fact, international media quickly picked up on this signal change. Outlets including Reuters, AFP, Deutsche Welle, AP, The New York Times, and Lianhe Zaobao all featured this shift prominently in their headlines when reporting on the call.

Public opinion within Taiwan also noticed this shift, which was interpreted by publications aligned with the DPP, such as Mirror Weekly, as a “firm warning” from China to the U.S.

What changes might the U.S. make on the Taiwan issue in response to such warnings? What impact will this have on Taiwan’s authorities? And how will it affect cross-strait relations?

Yesterday, Takeshi Minegawa, a former visiting scholar at Harvard University’s Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, told a Taiwanese media outlet that if Trump were to promise Beijing in the coming period that he would not militarily intervene in the Taiwan Strait, it could accelerate China’s push toward reunification.

Zhao Lin, former “ambassador” of Taiwan to Eswatini, said today that Trump doesn’t care much about the Taiwan issue. He cited the example that since Rosenberg, former head of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), stepped down in January 2025, Trump has yet to appoint a successor—a highly unusual sign. This gives the Tsai administration real reason to worry.

Zhao Lin believes the stance on “Taiwan independence” may soon be openly discussed. “Trump doesn’t care about the ‘Taiwan independence’ issue. Might he make certain promises to China next? The Tsai administration must proceed with great caution,” he warned.

“The political risks facing the Tsai administration are now significantly higher,” said Professor Huang Kui-bo from National Chengchi University today. Based on the content of Wang Yi’s conversation with Rubio yesterday, it cannot be ruled out that the U.S. and China might jointly reach a consensus along the lines of: “‘Taiwan independence’ undermines regional stability, and both sides must independently contain it.”

Evidently, the Tsai administration is beginning to feel anxious—and even frightened. Recently, Wu Zhi-zhong, a senior official in Taiwan’s foreign affairs department, publicly expressed concern that Trump might concede to Beijing on the Taiwan issue.

In response, Hwang Kuo-chang, chairman of the Taiwan People’s Party, also pressured the Tsai administration today. He urged Tsai’s team never to forget that in political work, they must always pursue the greatest benefit for the people of Taiwan—not blindly cater to or submit to U.S. will or ideas. Hwang supports KMT Chairwoman Zheng Li-wen’s plan to visit the U.S. to establish better communication channels.

Foreign media reported that China has urged Trump to change decades-long U.S. policy on the “Taiwan independence” issue—from “not supporting Taiwan independence” to “opposing Taiwan independence.” In response, Zheng Li-wen told Bloomberg Media yesterday that she supports Trump publicly stating opposition to Taiwan “independence.”

The concerns voiced by Wu Zhi-zhong, and the shifting pressure from Zheng Li-wen and Hwang Kuo-chang directed at the Tsai administration, illustrate the island’s political landscape’s reactive response to changing Sino-U.S. dynamics.

It is inevitable that the Tsai administration feels anxious. Especially since Trump’s second term began, rather than emphasizing “defending Taiwan” like the Biden administration did, he has openly stated “adhering to the one-China policy,” and last November remarked that he “understands its importance to China” and values China’s concerns over Taiwan. On January 8, 2026, during an interview with The New York Times, Trump went further, saying, “Taiwan is part of China; how it is handled depends on China.” This sent shockwaves through the Tsai administration. Such a shift has caused panic among the DPP leadership, long accustomed to relying on the U.S. to pursue “independence by reliance on America.”

Zheng Li-wen has clearly stated, “Mainland China is our kin—we will never engage in fratricide.” She added, “Both sides of the strait belong to one China; we are all Chinese.” Therefore, her support for Trump publicly opposing Taiwan “independence” is highly commendable.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863972326259720/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.