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China hopes for peaceful reunification with Taiwan, but not ruling out use of force

According to Chen Binhua, such an approach is aimed at countering interference by external forces and a very small group of "Taiwanese separatists"

BEIJING, March 13. /TASS/. While Beijing views peaceful reunification with Taiwan as the optimal scenario, it does not rule out the use of force either, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Chinese State Council, said, commenting on the fact that relevant wording is missing from the government’s latest annual report.

"Peaceful reunification and ‘the one country - two systems’ [principle] are the main policy course that we have been pursuing in order to resolve the Taiwan issue. This is the best way toward reunification with Taiwan," Chen said. "However, we in no way promise that we will refrain from using force as we retain the right to use all necessary measures," he warned.

According to the politician, such an approach is aimed at countering interference by external forces and a very small group of "Taiwanese separatists."

Also, Chen described the current situation in the Taiwan Strait as tough and serious. However, he added, Beijing has the necessary resolve and sufficient capabilities to bar any separatist conspiracy and protect the country’s sovereignty.

Earlier this month, the Chinese government presented its annual report summing up its work during the second session of the 14th National People’s Congress (parliament) of China. In the key document, Beijing reaffirmed its commitment to the One China principle and vowed to make resolute efforts to fight separatism and external interference in its affairs. However, the traditional wording about peaceful reunification with the island was conspicuously absent from the report.

Taiwan, China’s largest island, has been governed by its local administration since 1949 when the remaining Kuomintang forces led by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) fled to the island after suffering a defeat in China’s civil war. Since then, Taiwan has preserved the flag and some other symbols of the Republic of China that had existed in mainland China before the Communists came to power. According to Beijing’s official position, which is supported by most countries, including Russia, Taiwan is one of China’s provinces.

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