China’s President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed Beijing’s stance on Taiwan during a call with U.S. President Donald Trump, warning that the island’s return remains an essential pillar of China’s post-war territorial claims as tensions continue to rise across the Taiwan Strait.

The call, confirmed by Chinese and U.S. officials, came at a moment when relations between Beijing, Washington and Taipei have grown increasingly volatile. Xi’s message was direct. Taiwan, he said, remains “an integral part of the post-war international order,” repeating Beijing’s long-held claim that the self-ruled democracy is a breakaway province that must eventually return to Chinese control.

The conversation follows a series of moves by the Trump administration that have angered Beijing, including expanded military coordination with Taiwan and new legislative proposals designed to increase U.S. security commitments to the island. Analysts say Xi’s unusually firm language suggests China views the current diplomatic climate as a pivotal moment for its sovereignty agenda.

U.S. officials offered no indication that Trump softened his government’s position. Instead, the White House described the call as “frank,” with Trump reportedly reiterating Washington’s commitment to regional stability and its continued support for Taiwan’s self-defence capabilities.

The timing adds to the tension. China has increased air and naval activity around Taiwan throughout the year, prompting repeated alerts from Taipei’s defence ministry. At the same time, the U.S. Congress has advanced new frameworks designed to deter Chinese military aggression, putting Washington and Beijing on a collision course over one of the most sensitive geopolitical flashpoints in Asia.

For Beijing, Xi’s message appears aimed at drawing a red line before upcoming diplomatic engagements and military exercises in the region. For Washington, the exchange highlights how central the Taiwan question has become to U.S. strategic competition with China.

As both governments harden their positions, regional analysts warn that miscalculation is becoming more likely, especially as Taiwan enters another politically charged period.