A top mainland leader has indicated resources Beijing is spending on undercutting Taiwan's international status are worthwhile because this would be 'less costly' than fighting a war with the island.
Beijing sources quoted the Politburo member as pointing out in an internal meeting that the mainland must try to win 'peripheral warfare' against the expanding Taiwan independence movement.
This meant chiselling away at Taipei's room for manoeuvre by curtailing whatever support it enjoys among the major powers and the 30 countries that still recognise Taiwan.
Pointing to the fact that a couple of Third World countries have shifted ties to China this year, the leader reportedly said: 'This is resources well spent. In any case, this would be much less than the costs incurred if we were to go to war with Taiwan.' Concerning Taiwan's unofficial links with developed countries, the senior cadre said Beijing's priority was changing the attitude of the US Government and Congress.
The leader indicated that during forthcoming high-level meetings between the Chinese and American leadership, Beijing would seek reassurance on the Taiwan issue.
'We shall tell them that Taiwan touches upon China's most sensitive nerves,' the Politburo member reportedly said.
He hinted that the Chinese could make concessions in areas including trade if the US would agree to scale down ties with Taiwan.
