Beijing has criticised Washington’s increased political support and arms sales to Taiwan as “external interference in China’s internal affairs”, and described them as the biggest obstacles to its reunification plan with Taiwan.
Wang also told the conference that Beijing has “overcome difficulties” in pushing ahead its Taiwan agenda and winning international support for the “one China” principle – an apparent reference to Honduras and Nauru cutting their ties with Taipei in the past 12 months.
“It is necessary to expand cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation in various fields and deepen cross-Strait integration and development. We should push for joint Chinese culture promotions across the Taiwan Strait and promote spiritual bonds among Chinese compatriots,” he added.
Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.
As China will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China this year, Wang said Beijing will need to “further grasp the strategic initiative to achieve complete reunification of the motherland”.
In contrast to his speech last year, this time Wang did not refer to “one family across the Taiwan Strait” or of Beijing’s efforts to “promote policies benefiting the Taiwanese people”.
Taiwan’s Lafayette-class frigates from France set for combat systems upgrade
Taiwan’s Lafayette-class frigates from France set for combat systems upgrade