Warning against "separatist activities" in Taiwan, China promises to take action
On Wednesday, China promised to have no tolerance for "separatist operations" in Taiwan and reiterated its threat to annex the island if necessary. Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, issued the warning following days of unusual military exercises surrounding the island that were provoked by a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Despite stern warnings from China, which seeks to keep Taipei isolated on the international scene, Pelosi last week made history by becoming the highest-ranking US official to visit Taiwan in decades. The Taiwan Affairs Office of China published a white paper on Wednesday outlining its plans to annex the island through a variety of financial incentives and military pressure. The white paper stated, "We are prepared to make a large space for peaceful reunion, but we will leave no place for separatist actions in whatever form." China has stated that it "would not abstain from the use of force and we maintain the right to take all necessary actions." However, it said, "Should they ever violate our red lines, we will only be compelled to take harsh steps to response to the provocation of separatist groups or external forces." In 2000, China last published a white paper on Taiwan. A distinct Taiwanese identity has arisen since the island's transition from an autocrat to a thriving democracy in the late 1990s. Read the full article