China has issued one of its starkest warnings in recent months, declaring it “absolutely will not” rule out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. The statement, made Wednesday by Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Peng Qing’en, contrasted sharply with a series of state media commentaries earlier in the week that had emphasized a softer vision of “benign rule” if Taiwan were to accept Beijing’s authority.
Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has never renounced the option of military action to achieve “reunification.” While the stance is longstanding, it is not often voiced so directly in public.
Peng reiterated that peaceful reunification under the “one country, two systems” framework remains China’s preferred path. “We are willing to create ample space for peaceful reunification and will spare no effort to pursue this prospect with the utmost sincerity,” he said. “However, we absolutely will not renounce the use of force and reserve the option to take all necessary measures.”
The remarks came just days after Wang Huning, the Communist Party’s fourth-ranked leader and top official on Taiwan policy, avoided any mention of force in a major policy speech, instead highlighting potential benefits of reunification.
China’s renewed push for an autonomy model similar to Hong Kong and Macau comes as US President Donald Trump prepares to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday. Trump told reporters he was unsure whether Taiwan would be discussed.
Taiwan’s government has consistently rejected Beijing’s sovereignty claims. National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen dismissed China’s “patriots” model as an attempt to “Hong Kong-ify and Macau-ify Taiwan” and undermine its sovereignty. “I think the Chinese communists have no way to enact the application of the Macau or Hong Kong model in Taiwan,” he said.
Taiwan, which held its first direct presidential election in 1996, maintains a vibrant democracy where candidates openly campaign on pro-independence or pro-Beijing platforms. Beijing, however, refuses to engage with Taiwan’s current president, Lai Ching-te, labeling him a “separatist.”
SEO Tags: China Taiwan force warning, Taiwan reunification policy, Trump Xi Taiwan talks, Taiwan democracy Beijing claims, Hong Kong Macau model Taiwan
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