China not intent on ‘destroying Taiwan economy’, but more trade pressure possible
- Mainland authorities are unlikely to crash Taiwan’s economy, opting instead to target pro-independence politicians and businesses, analysts say
- A de facto blockade by the Chinese military of the export-reliant island would spill over to global shipping and semiconductor businesses, experts say
01:59
‘Proud of trip to Taiwan’: US House Speaker Pelosi describes visit that angered mainland China
Beijing could step up pressure on Taiwan but will carefully weigh the pros and cons of reunification by force, experts said, with cross-strait tensions at their highest point in decades after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island last week.
Mainland authorities are unlikely to crash Taiwan’s economy, opting instead to target pro-independence politicians and businesses, while trying to win the hearts of the population, analysts said.
“The mainland authorities have no intention to destroy the Taiwan economy because it would hurt the life of ordinary people,” said Lu Xiang, an expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, a Beijing-based governmental think tank.
“Even if it comes to the stage that pro-independence diehards must be eliminated, [Beijing] would tackle it and recover economic and social order within the shortest possible time.”
02:28
Taipei residents shrug off PLA drills near Taiwan as mainland Chinese public back Beijing’s actions
Beijing sees Taiwan as a renegade province that must be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary. However, any attack would be complicated by the potential intervention of the US military.