TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The U.S. denied Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s (習近平) claim last year it is trying to lure China into a conflict over Taiwan.

U.S. Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said Xi’s accusation was “not accurate” at a press conference on Monday (June 17). The U.S. has assured Beijing its “one China” policy has not changed, Miller said, adding, “We continue to urge calm and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”

Xi told European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a meeting in April 2023 that Washington was trying to “goad” him into invading Taiwan, but he would “not take the bait.” Some Chinese academics and former military officials allege that the U.S. is intentionally angering Beijing by selling weapons to Taiwan to trick China into a Taiwan Strait conflict.

The revelation of Xi’s comment follows the large-scale military exercise around Taiwan involving land, sea, air, and rocket forces China launched just three days after President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) was sworn in on May 20. The People’s Liberation Army said the exercise was “punishment” for Taiwanese seeking independence.

Earlier this month, the U.S. approved the potential sale of spare parts and technical and logistics support for Taiwan’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets to ensure its operational readiness. China complained to the U.S. and demanded Washington cease arms sales to Taiwan immediately, per Reuters.