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On Wednesday, China promised to have no tolerance for “separatist operations” in Taiwan and reiterated its threat to annex the island if necessary.
Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, issued the warning following days of unusual military exercises surrounding the island that were provoked by a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Despite stern warnings from China, which seeks to keep Taipei isolated on the international scene, Pelosi last week made history by becoming the highest-ranking US official to visit Taiwan in decades.
The Taiwan Affairs Office of China published a white paper on Wednesday outlining its plans to annex the island through a variety of financial incentives and military pressure.
The white paper stated, “We are prepared to make a large space for peaceful reunion, but we will leave no place for separatist actions in whatever form.”
China has stated that it “would not abstain from the use of force and we maintain the right to take all necessary actions.”
However, it said, “Should they ever violate our red lines, we will only be compelled to take harsh steps to response to the provocation of separatist groups or external forces.”
In 2000, China last published a white paper on Taiwan.
A distinct Taiwanese identity has arisen since the island’s transition from an autocrat to a thriving democracy in the late 1990s.
Since Tsai Ing-wen became president in 2016, relations between the two sides have severely deteriorated.
Taiwan is not seen as a part of China by Tsai and her Democratic Progressive Party.
Their viewpoint fits China’s expansive definition of Taiwanese separatism, which also include individuals who support the island’s having a distinct identity from the mainland.
Fears of invasion
After “reunification,” the Chinese white paper promised Taiwan “better security and dignity” in addition to economic growth.
However, the offer coincides with China’s largest military drills near the island, which include preparation for a blockade.
Fears have been aroused by the drills that the Communist leadership of China may be preparing for an invasion.
Although the drills have continued this week without a confirmed finish date, they were initially anticipated to wrap up on Sunday.
Details of the drills that China’s People’s Liberation Army carried out a day earlier near Taiwan were made public on Wednesday.
By publishing videos and pictures of jet fighters taking off and performing manoeuvres, including in-flight replenishing from a tanker, the PLA’s Eastern Theater command stated that the Tuesday drills were focused on strengthening air supremacy.
China has been charged of exploiting Pelosi’s visit as a pretext to practise for an invasion, according to Taiwan.
In order to be ready for an assault on the island, it has undertaken its own military games. On Wednesday, it released video showing how its air, land, and marine troops reacted to the Chinese training.
Tuesday’s Chinese threat was sparked by the Taiwanese drills.
