Beijing promises zero tolerance for Taiwanese ‘separatists’
China issued a new warning on Wednesday against supporters of Taiwan independence.
The skyline of Xiamen city on the Chinese mainland is seen beyond anti-landing spikes placed along the coast of Lieyu Islet on Taiwan’s Kinmen Islands, which lie just 3.2 km from the coast of mainland China, on August 10, 2022.
AFP
China promised on Wednesday to leave “no leeway” to supporters of Taiwan independence, stressing that “the use of force” to reconquer the island remained on the table “as a last resort”. This new warning comes after extensive Chinese military exercises carried out in recent days around the island, in response to the visit to Taipei of the number three American Nancy Pelosi.
The Taiwan Affairs Bureau, a Chinese government agency, released a “white paper” on Wednesday detailing how Beijing plans to take over the island, including through economic incentives.
“We are willing to create a broad space (of cooperation) in order to achieve peaceful reunification,” the document said. “But we will leave no room for separatist actions aimed at pseudo-independence for Taiwan.”
China considers Taiwan, with a population of around 23 million, to be one of its provinces, which it has yet to successfully reunify with the rest of its territory since the end of the Chinese Civil War ( 1949).
In seven decades, the communist army has never been able to conquer the island, which has remained under the control of the Republic of China – the regime that once ruled mainland China and now rules only Taiwan.
“Red Lines”
“We do not promise to renounce the use of force”, underlines the Beijing white paper, the first on this subject since 2000, before qualifying its remarks.
“Force would be used as a last resort, in compelling circumstances. We would be forced to take drastic measures in the face of provocations by separatists or external forces, if they were to cross our red lines.”
The white paper also promises economic prosperity after “reunification”.
China thus proposes to strengthen cultural ties, in terms of social security, health or even to encourage better economic “integration”.
“With a strong homeland to rely on, Taiwanese compatriots will be stronger, more confident, more secure and more respected on the international stage,” the text promises.
A “One China”
Some young Taiwanese, especially in recent years, are beginning to develop an identity different from that of mainland China. A phenomenon encouraged by the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP, pro-independence) of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who came to power in 2016.
Unlike the previous government, Ms. Tsai refuses to consider Taiwan and mainland China as part of a “one China”. A position that has greatly degraded relations with Beijing.
Despite the current tensions, a Taiwanese opposition politician, Andrew Hsia Li-yan, went to mainland China on Wednesday where, after a quarantine, he should meet entrepreneurs and students from the island.
Senior diplomat, ex-boss of the Taiwanese body responsible for issues relating to mainland China, Mr. Hsia is vice-president of the Kuomintang (KMT), the other major Taiwanese party, which is anti-independence and in favor of pragmatic relations. with Beijing.
Controversial visit
“Not only is the moment badly chosen” but “in addition it is an offense to our army which spares no effort to protect our country”, denounced the Taiwanese presidential party on Wednesday. This visit “sends a bad message to the international community”, for his part denounced Tsai Ing-wen in front of members of his party.
AFP
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