Beijing says it seeks peaceful reunification with Taiwan, but warns island over separatist forces
- Wang Yang tells seminar Beijing is willing to talk to different parties in Taiwan but cautions an ‘abyss of disaster’ looms over independence agitators
- The comments were made as presidents of China and the US plan to meet and Beijing rails against a possible trip to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Wang told a seminar in Beijing on Tuesday that Beijing was willing to engage in dialogue with different parties in Taiwan under the condition of recognising the 1992 consensus to seek peaceful reunification, while warning that Taiwan independence was a serious danger to national rejuvenation.
“On the basis of the one-China principle, we are willing to conduct dialogue, communication and democratic consultation with all parties, groups and people in Taiwan on cross-strait political issues, and issues related to peaceful reunification of the motherland,” Wang was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
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“The Taiwan authorities refuse to recognise the 1992 consensus, and some countries condone the separatist forces agitating for ‘Taiwan independence’ to cause trouble and provocation. If they continue, Taiwan will be pushed into the abyss of disaster and bring serious harm to the majority of Taiwan compatriots,” Wang said.
“The majority of Taiwan compatriots must deeply understand that reunification is beneficial, and that Taiwan independence is a dead end. They should understand that they cannot rely on outsiders.”
Wang’s remarks came as Beijing repeatedly warned Pelosi against visiting Taiwan.
Pelosi would be the first sitting speaker to do so since Newt Gingrich visited the island in 1997.
US President Joe Biden has said the Pentagon believes Pelosi’s trip is not a “good idea right now”, but some US congressmen said dropping the trip would mean Washington was giving in to Beijing’s pressure.
The topics to be discussed would include “everything from the tensions over Taiwan, to the war in Ukraine, as well as how we better manage competition between our two nations, certainly in the economic sphere”, according to a White House national security spokesperson.
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Beijing considers self-ruled Taiwan to be a renegade province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it back into the fold. It has stepped up pressure on the island in recent years with intensive naval drills and fighter jet sorties around it.
Wang said the 1992 consensus should not be distorted, nor rejected. Rejection of the consensus would only lead to cross-strait tension, he added.
Additional reporting by Reuters