Beijing takes conciliatory tone on Taiwan with call to ‘advance’ exchanges

Premier Li Keqiang reiterates there will be steps to oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ and promote ‘reunification’ with the island

Delivering the government’s work report, he says Beijing has resolutely fought against separatism and countered interference

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Outgoing Premier Li Keqiang delivers the government’s annual work report at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. Photo: AP

Published: 2:51pm, 5 Mar 2023Updated: 5:44pm, 5 Mar 2023

Beijing will ramp up efforts to restore exchanges and economic ties with Taiwan, with Premier Li Keqiang taking a conciliatory tone on the island as he delivered the government work report on Sunday.

Li reiterated that Beijing would take resolute steps to oppose “Taiwan independence” and promote “reunification” with the island.

“As we Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family bound by blood, we should advance economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation … and improve the systems and policies that contribute to the well-being of our Taiwan compatriots,” Li said at the start of the annual legislative session in Beijing.

There was no mention of opposing foreign interference on Taiwan in the plan for this year, as there was in last year’s government work report.

It comes as tensions are soaring across the Taiwan Strait, with concern growing that Beijing might try to take the self-ruled island – which it sees as its territory – by force in the next few years.

Beijing’s defence budget was also unveiled on Sunday, up by 7.2 per cent to 1.5537 trillion yuan (US$224.9 billion) – a slight increase from last year’s 7.1 per cent growth.

Taiwan’s presidential election is meanwhile looming early next year, and some analysts in Beijing say there is a shift in public opinion on the island towards peace and opposing provocations by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which has rejected the one-China principle.