Beijing: China has renewed its warning against Taiwan independence, with a senior Chinese leader saying Beijing will firmly act against what it calls separatist activities on the self ruled island.
Speaking at China’s annual Taiwan work conference, Wang Huning, a top official and close aide to President Xi Jinping, said China would resolutely crack down on any efforts pushing Taiwan towards formal independence. He also said Beijing would continue to support forces in Taiwan that favour reunification with the mainland.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has never ruled out the use of force to bring it under its control. Taiwan’s government strongly rejects this claim, saying the island’s future can only be decided by its people.
Wang also warned against what China describes as external interference, an indirect reference to the **United States**, which remains Taiwan’s most important international supporter and arms supplier.
The remarks come at a time of heightened tension across the Taiwan Strait. Chinese military activity near Taiwan has increased in recent months, with frequent drills and patrols that Taiwan says are aimed at intimidation. Taiwan’s defence minister has warned that such pressure could lead to dangerous miscalculations if the situation escalates.
Relations between Beijing and Taipei remain frozen. China refuses to hold official talks with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching te, whom it has labelled a separatist. Taipei, meanwhile, says it will not accept Beijing’s one country two systems model, pointing to developments in Hong Kong as a warning.
The latest comments also follow recent high level contacts between Beijing and Washington, where Taiwan remains one of the most sensitive issues in the already strained relationship between the two powers.
While China’s statement signals no immediate change in policy, analysts say the strong language underlines Beijing’s determination to keep up political and military pressure on Taiwan as regional and global tensions continue to rise.