A very diplomatic statement has come from China on Wednesday, wherein a Chinese government spokesperson mentioned “China’s willingness to make the utmost effort to strive for a peaceful reunification with Taiwan.” Weeks of military war games by Beijing near the island set the backdrop for the statement.
Historically, China claims democratically-governed Taiwan as part of its own territory. On the other hand, Taiwan’s government continue to reject China’s sovereignty claims and shows determination to decide their own future.
After U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei in August, China became active in carrying out military exercises near Taiwan.
Spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, Ma Xiaoguang told during a news conference in Beijing that China was willing to make the greatest efforts to achieve peaceful “reunification”. China’s determination to safeguard its territory is unwavering, he added.
A “one nation, two systems” approach has been put forth by China for Taiwan, which is akin to the plan used to retake control of the former British colony of Hong Kong in 1997.
As seen in opinion polls, almost all the big Taiwanese political parties have rejected the Chinese proposal which received almost no public support.
China has never given up the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. To that effect, it passed a law in 2005 giving itself the legal basis for military action against Taiwan to prevent secession and even its attempt
Taiwan’s government says that as the island has never been ruled by the People’s Republic of China, its sovereignty claims are void.
