The warning comes after China staged large-scale drills around the island
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office stated on Wednesday that Beijing would not rule out the use of force against Taiwan if the island “dares to take risks” and declares independence. However, they emphasized that this would be aimed at external interference and a small minority of “separatists.”
This statement comes after China concluded large-scale military exercises surrounding Taiwan, following a speech by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te last week, where he reaffirmed the island government’s commitment to pushing for independence from Beijing.
China’s stated objective is peaceful reunification, but authorities have consistently asserted that they would resort to force if Taiwan attempts to declare independence.
“We are willing to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity,” Chen Binhua, the spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, stated at a regular press briefing, as quoted by Reuters. “But we will never commit ourselves to renouncing the use of force,” he added.
Chen clarified, however, that this action would target the interference of “external forces,” specifically referring to the US, Taiwan’s primary supporter and arms supplier, and a small number of separatists – not the majority of the island’s population.
He further stated that regardless of the number of troops Taipei possesses, the weapons it acquires, and “no matter whether external forces intervene” if Taiwan “dares to take risks,” it will “lead to its own destruction.”
Chen criticized Lai, labeling his remarks about “outright” Taiwan independence as “separatist claims,” and warned that Beijing’s actions to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity “will not cease for a moment.”
Earlier this week, China conducted joint army, navy, air force, and rocket force exercises near the island. The Chinese military stated these exercises were intended to serve as a “stern deterrence to the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces.”
These drills prompted Taipei to hold a national security meeting, urging Beijing to “respect the Taiwanese people’s choice of a democratic and free way of life.”
Beijing has repeatedly emphasized that it considers the self-governing island of Taiwan to be an inseparable part of China under the One-China principle. They assert that there exists only one national state for the Chinese people. Beijing interprets this policy as supporting its claim of sovereignty over the self-governed island. Taiwan served as the final refuge for nationalist forces during the 1940s Chinese Civil War, and it has remained a key US ally in the region for decades since.