Chinese diplomat says ‘reunification’ with Taiwan near, cites China’s ‘growing comprehensive strength’
A People’s Republic of China official responsible for relations with Taiwan has claimed a “reunification” of the two countries is approaching.
The eyebrow-raising comments were published Thursday in China’s government-run newspaper, People’s Daily.
Taiwan Affairs Office lead Liu Jieyi expressed expectations for China to reclaim Taiwan in the near future due to “growing comprehensive strength” on the part of the Chinese.
“Our growing comprehensive strength and significant institutional advantages continue to be transformed into efficiency in work related to Taiwan issues and push forward the process of national reunification,” Liu said.
Liu went on to threaten a violent crackdown on “Taiwan independence forces” and a stronger pushback against foreign interventions into the conflict.
Taiwan, also known as the Republic of China, is an island nation off the coast of the mainland. Taiwan has declared itself independent of the People’s Republic of China, and has claimed continuation of governance from the pre-revolutionary China.
The People’s Republic of China has long claimed sovereignty over Taiwan and the Taiwan Strait, the relatively narrow strip of ocean between the island of Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. The Chinese military has frequently sent planes into the area, testing Taiwan’s air defense zone.
The United States doesn’t have official relations with Taiwan, but has been stepping up engagement with the island as China seeks to isolate it from global institutions.
