Amid growing concerns from some Western observers, China maintains its stance on the Taiwan question, emphasizing peaceful reunification despite heightened regional tensions.
During the recent Two Sessions, the Chinese government officially adopted tougher language regarding the Taiwan region by omitting the term \"peaceful reunification\" from the government work report released on Tuesday, as reported by Reuters. This move has sparked worries among some Westerners who interpret China’s rising military budget as preparation for potential conflict across the Taiwan Strait.
However, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressed these concerns, stating on the sidelines of the National People's Congress that \"We will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity.\" This statement aligns with China's consistent policy over the years, suggesting a continued commitment to peaceful methods while also emphasizing deterrence.
Li Nan, a visiting senior research fellow at the East Asian Institute from the National University of Singapore, believes that China’s current policy will persist, with a stronger focus on deterrence to ensure regional stability. \"For the overall interests of the Chinese nation, the mainland is unwilling to see a war breaking out in the region,\" Li Nan explained.
Contrary to some Western media portrayals of Chinese mainland \"aggressiveness,\" rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait are largely attributed to pro-independence forces, which are seen as the primary destabilizing factor. China asserts that it does not seek confrontation but remains firm in its resolve to achieve reunification peacefully.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
