A view of Taipei, the island of Taiwan Photo: VCG

On Monday evening, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with US President Donald Trump on the phone, and the news immediately drew global attention. Lianhe Zaobao, Reuters, Bloomberg, and media outlets in the Taiwan region, including China Times and United Daily News (Taiwan), all reported on the call, noting that the conversation touched on the Taiwan question.

During the call, President Xi clarified China's principled position on the Taiwan question and stressed that Taiwan's return to China is an important part of the post-war international order. He stated that China and the US fought shoulder to shoulder against fascism and militarism, making it even more important for the two sides to jointly safeguard the victory of World War II (WWII). President Trump said that China was a big part of the victory of WWII, and that the US understands how important the Taiwan question is to China.

The phone call between the two heads of state was both extremely important and highly unusual. It was their first conversation since the Busan meeting and also the first time in the past two phone calls that the Taiwan question was explicitly mentioned. Although Japan was not directly discussed, the call took place against the backdrop of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks about the Taiwan region on November 7. As my article "What this important meeting means for Taiwan" noted on October 30, it was "a thunder heard in silence." 

The Taiwan question has always been the most important and sensitive issue in China-US relations, a red line that cannot be tested or crossed. The content of the two leaders' call clearly underscored the historical nature of Taiwan's return to China, which is grounded in widely recognized historical facts and established legal conclusions. Any external forces attempting to interfere in the Taiwan question, as well as "Taiwan independence" separatists seeking to divide the country, are betraying historical justice, undermining the victory of WWII, challenging the post-war international order, and damaging global peace and stability. They will inevitably face the firm opposition of all Chinese people and the condemnation of the international community.

President Trump said during the call that the US understands how important the Taiwan question is to China. This is an important and positive signal. As two major world countries, the trajectory of China-US relations is critical to the well-being of the peoples of both countries as well as to global stability. And the Taiwan question is precisely the key variable affecting the healthy development of China-US ties. Only by respecting each other's core interests and major concerns, and properly handling the Taiwan question can the two countries press ahead with the steady advancement of their relationship, expand effective cooperation in more areas, and better benefit the peoples of both nations and the world.

At present, Japan's provocations on the Taiwan question have become rampant, posing a serious threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits. At this critical moment, the important phone call between the Chinese and US presidents reaffirmed, through candid communication, the importance of the Taiwan question, making clear that external forces have no right to interfere and that the post-war international order must not be undermined by anyone.

If Japanese leaders continue to take reckless risks on the Taiwan question and persist in reviving militarism, they will definitely face resolute opposition and meet a firm response from China. China will never allow Japan's right-wing provocateurs to turn back the wheel of history, never allow external forces to lay their hands on China's Taiwan region and never allow the resurgence of Japanese militarism. China is resolved in and capable of defending national and territorial sovereignty.

The historical trend of China's reunification is unstoppable. China's resolve to safeguard its national territorial integrity is rock-solid, its will unshakable and its capability beyond doubt. This important phone call between the Chinese and US presidents has helped clarify the correct understanding of the Taiwan question, and pushed for the steady and long-term growth of China-US relations. It also recalibrated the course and provided more momentum for the giant ship of China-US relations to sail forward steadily.

The author is a commentator on international affairs. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn