China fixed on Taiwan ‘reunification’, opposes foreign interference

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang promised on Saturday that his government would advance peaceful growth in relations with Taiwan and focus on “reunification” while clarifying that it firmly opposed all separatist activities and foreign interference, Reuters reported. 

China believes democratic Taiwan to be part of their territory, and in the past two years, they’ve increased military activity around the island in response to strengthening ties between Taiwan and the US. The latter is the island country’s chief arms supplier. 

Li spoke at the opening of the annual meeting at China’s parliament, saying Beijing remained firm in its “one China” principle, which states that Taiwan is a part of China. 

As per Reuters, he said, “We will advance the peaceful growth of relations across the Taiwan Strait and the reunification of China. We firmly oppose any separatist activities seeking ‘Taiwan independence’ and firmly oppose foreign interference”. 

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Further, Li added, “All of us, Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, should come together to advance the great and glorious cause of China’s rejuvenation”. 

Notably, most Taiwanese people have opposed being ruled by China and have extended their support to anti-government demonstrations in Hong Kong. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen was also elected in a landslide victory in 2020, due to his promises of defending the island’s democratic rights and standing up to China. 

While China believes Tsai wishes to push for Taiwan’s formal independence, they’ve refused to engage in talks with him on this issue. Tsai has always claimed that Taiwan is already independent and called the Republic of China, its formal name. 

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Notably, China’s belief of Taiwan being part of it, echoes what is happening in Europe, as Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent troops into Ukraine. Despite parallels, the two situations are different, but during the Beijing Olympics, China had criticized NATO expansion in eastern Europe, while Putin had recognized Taiwan to be a part of China.