TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平) last year reportedly told European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that the U.S. was trying to “goad” him into invading Taiwan. 

Multiple sources informed the Financial Times (FT) that Xi issued this warning during a meeting with von der Leyen in April 2023. Xi reportedly said the U.S. is trying to “trick China” into invading Taiwan, but he would “not take the bait.”

Another source said Xi issued a similar warning to Chinese officials. Some Chinese scholars and retired military officers allege that the U.S. is attempting to trigger Beijing by supplying weapons to Taiwan and implementing other measures to “lure China” into an armed conflict.

In January, former Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., Cui Tiankai (崔天凱), said at the Asia Society that Beijing would "not fall into the trap somebody may be preparing for us," implying Washington. 

Xi's comments to von der Leyen represent the first known instance of him making such an allegation to a foreign leader. Xi also said a confrontation with the U.S. would "destroy many of China's achievements and undermine his goal of achieving the ‘great rejuvenation’ by 2049."

This information comes amidst escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Just three days after President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) inauguration, the People's Liberation Army launched military exercises around Taiwan and its outer islands as “punishment” for those seeking independence.

Under the Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S. must help Taiwan maintain its self-defense capabilities. Washington has long emphasized that it does not support Taiwan's independence and opposes unilateral changes to the status quo.

One Chinese scholar was cited by the Financial Times as saying that the U.S. is "actively encouraging Taiwan independence forces" and understands that if Taiwan crosses China's red line and declares independence, Beijing will be compelled to take military action.

The Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jude Blanchette told FT that one interpretation of Xi's remarks is that some subordinates might try to “steer him away from more aggressive policies.”

Blanchette said regardless of how Xi's remarks are interpreted, ”it’s clear that the decision-making environment — and the information feeding into it — is being warped, either by Xi’s lieutenants or by his own autocratic behavior."