Beijing continues to intimidate and threaten Tapei. Indeed, on Wednesday, August 10, China vowed to leave pro-independence supporters “no room for manoeuvre” for Taiwan, stressing that “the use of force” to retake the island “as a last resort” remains on the table. in a white paper issued by the Office of Taiwan Affairs, a Chinese government agency.
In this white paper, the first on the subject since 2000, Beijing details the way it intends to take over the island, particularly through the use of economic stimulus. “We are ready to create a big space [de coopération] in order to achieve a peaceful reunification”, is demanded in particular.
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“But we will not leave any room for separatist actions aimed at pseudo-independence of Taiwan, in any form whatsoever,” China specifies, adding: “We do not promise to renounce the use of force. »
“Force would be used in compelling circumstances as a last resort. We would be forced to take drastic action in the face of provocations by separatists or external forces if they crossed our red lines. »
Promise of better economic “integration”
This new warning comes after the end of extensive Chinese military exercises conducted around the island in recent days in response to the visit of US No. 3 Nancy Pelosi to Taipei.
The visit of the Speaker of the House of Representatives was seen as a provocation by Beijing, since the United States had pledged not to maintain official ties with the island territory claimed by China.
In particular, the White Paper promises economic prosperity after “reunification”. China also suggests strengthening cultural ties related to social security and health or promoting better economic “integration”, particularly through “preferential measures”.
“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 reads.
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Unlike the previous government, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who came to power in 2016, refuses to see Taiwan and mainland China as part of a “one China”. A position that has severely worsened relations with Beijing.
Despite the tense context of recent days, a Taiwanese opposition politician, Andrew Hsia Li-yan, traveled to mainland China on Wednesday to meet with entrepreneurs and students from the island in August following a quarantine.
Mr. Hsia, a senior diplomat and former head of the Taiwan organization in charge of mainland China issues, is the vice president of the Kuomintang (KMT), the other major Taiwanese party that opposes independence and supports pragmatic ties with Beijing.
“The moment is not only badly chosen,” but “it is also an attack on our army, which spares no effort to protect our country,” criticized the Taiwanese Presidential Party on Facebook.
End of Chinese military exercises off the island
The Chinese army, which has been conducting its key military drills around Taiwan for the past few days, announced on Wednesday that it had “successfully” completed them. “All tasks are completed,” she said.
But the Chinese Army Eastern Command said on its Weibo account that although exercises that began last Thursday have officially ended, China will continue to patrol the Taiwan Strait and keep its troops in battle formation.
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Those maneuvers, which began the day after Ms Pelosi’s visit to the island and was due to end on Sunday, continued this week. For its part, the Taiwanese army conducted its own drills Tuesday to train to respond to a Chinese attack.
In addition to firing missiles, the Chinese army simulated air and sea attacks on Taiwan, maneuvers that Taipei said were aimed at preparing for an invasion of the island and, according to experts, to quash any hint of independence for the autonomous territory.