China Signals Harder Line on Taiwan at Annual Policy Meeting
At the Taiwan Work Conference in Beijing, Taiwan policy chief Wang Huning said China would continue to work toward what he described as the “great cause of national reunification," and oppose "separatist" forces.
Title: Beijing Steps Up Rhetoric on Taiwan Unification
REPORTER:
A vow to strike “separatists” and support “patriotic pro-unification forces” in Taiwan. That’s the message from China’s top official in charge of Taiwan policy.
At the Taiwan Work Conference in Beijing this week, Wang Huning sent a clear signal that he wants to see progress in the so-called “great cause of national reunification.” But Taiwan says unification is not what Beijing’s really after.
REPORTER:
In a statement, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, which oversees relations with China, said Beijing’s ultimate goal is “eliminating” the country. It said this rhetoric was nothing new, and that the government would continue to monitor China’s actions and defend the country’s sovereignty.
But China watchers say the latest conference shows Beijing is ramping up its threats to take Taiwan.
William Yang (INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP):
This is, again, a very clear signal to Taipei that nothing is going to stop Beijing from pursuing this mission...
They no longer emphasize the need to, you know, prioritize peaceful reunification...
I think that's a very, uh, noteworthy departure from the past.
REPORTER:
China's conference comes ahead of Taiwan’s local elections in November. With the legislature deadlocked over issues like defense spending, it could be a pivotal race for cross-strait ties.
The main opposition Kuomintang has sought to engage with the Chinese authorities, having just sent a high-level delegation to Beijing last week. Party leader Cheng Li-wen is also reportedly seeking a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
William Yang (INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP):
Offering support and working with a patriotic forces inside Taiwan suggests that they are hoping to lend a hand to the KMT [...]
This remains to be seen whether it actually will help [...]
Because cross-strait relations is not at the forefront of most Taiwanese voters minds when it comes to local elections.
REPORTER:
Although the Conference did not mention the possibility of war, Beijing has never ruled out the use of force to take Taiwan.
REPORTER:
While the government here says Beijing’s rhetoric is nothing new, observers will closely watch whether those words will turn into action.
John Su and Lery Hiciano for TaiwanPlus.
