Beijing claims parties in Taiwan have ‘actively explored’ its ‘one country, two systems’ model
- In People’s Daily article, head of Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office says that more Taiwanese understand what would be protected after ‘peaceful reunification’
- As Taiwan elections loom, opinion polls show voters favour pro-independence incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen
Liu Jieyi, director of Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office, wrote in an article published by the Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily that “relevant political parties, groups, and sector representatives” in Taiwan had spoken to individuals from mainland China over the past year on how to realise “peaceful reunification”.
“The island’s political parties and groups actively explored one country, two systems for Taiwan,” Liu wrote.
“Taiwan counterparts have a clearer understanding of what would be respected and safeguarded after peaceful reunification. Their rejection and resistance of the discrediting and slandering of one country, two systems by ‘Taiwan independence’ forces has also continued to increase,” the article said.
Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory and has not rejected the use of force to bring the island under its rule. The Communist Party has never governed Taiwan, which considers itself an independent country.
The reiteration of Beijing’s intentions to realise the one country, two systems political model in Taiwan came ahead of Taiwan’s January 11 presidential and legislative elections, where issues of national sovereignty and security loomed large.