Taiwan independence is ‘a dead end’, China’s Communist Party says ahead of key congress
- Option of reunification by force targets separatists and external actors, not ‘compatriots in Taiwan’, party spokesman says in Beijing
- Reunification holds bright prospects for long-term stability and development of entire Chinese nation, Sun Yeli assures Taiwanese
“Reunification brings bright prospects while [a pathway towards] Taiwan’s independence remains a dead end. Those external forces are unreliable,” Sun said, adding this would serve the “long-term stability and development” of the Chinese nation as a whole, which included compatriots in Taiwan.
“It is our first choice in resolving the Taiwan question. We will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with utmost sincerity and efforts,” he said. “[But] we don’t renounce the use of force and reserve the option of taking all necessary measures.
At a press briefing on Saturday ahead of a key party congress, Sun’s comments were seen as highlighting Beijing’s position on Taiwan and journalists’ questions appeared to be carefully selected to affirm mainland China’s determination for reunification.
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Mainland China white paper declares ‘greatest sincerity’ for peaceful reunification with Taiwan
However, the paper removed statements that “the central government will not deploy military and administrative personnel to Taiwan” and “any matter is up for negotiation under the one-China principle”, which were present in a version published in 2000.
The policy paper came shortly after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the self-ruled island in defiance of repeated warnings from Beijing. Her visit triggered a furious Chinese response, including huge live-fire drills by the People’s Liberation Army in the waters and airspace around Taiwan.
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Beijing also announced the cancellation of important dialogues between the PLA and the US military, as well as other exchanges including on climate change, tackling the drugs trade, fighting crime, and repatriation of illegal immigrants. It also imposed sanctions on Pelosi and her family.
At the press conference on Saturday, Sun also warned that any attempt to separate Taiwan from mainland China would severely harm the island’s stability, and Beijing’s determination to defend its territorial integrity should not be undermined.
“Taiwan independence forces keep making provocations. External forces are doubling down on using Taiwan to contain China. All this severely undermines the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation and immediate interests of compatriots across the Taiwan Strait,” Sun said.
“If left unchecked, it will plunge Taiwan into the abyss and bring disaster to our compatriots.”
