This illustration shows the Chinese and Taiwanese flags Photo: Dado Ruvic/Illustration photo
Beijing is stepping up its rhetoric against Taiwan, saying that the island has never been an independent state and will not become one in the future. This statement was made by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a briefing on 12 May, according to an Ukrinform correspondent from China.
“The return of Taiwan to China is the result of the Second World War,” the diplomat said, referring to the Japanese Surrender Act and other international documents. According to him, Taiwan is “an integral part of China’s territory” and only the Chinese government represents “the whole of China”.
In response to statements by Taiwanese officials about China’s attempts to “appropriate” the victory in the war against Japan, Lin Jian reminded that historically, it is China, not Taiwan, that is the successor to state sovereignty over the island.
“Taiwan’s independence is an illusion,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman added, condemning the policy of the Democratic Progressive Party, which advocates the island’s self-determination. He stressed that the actions of the administration of newly elected President Lai Ching-jeou will not change Beijing’s position and will not affect international recognition of the “one China” principle.
Taiwan has had its own administration and democratic system of governance since 1949, when the Republic of China’s forces fled to the island after the civil war. However, China has never renounced its claims to the island and threatens a violent scenario in the event of formal independence.
“Regardless of what the Taiwanese authorities do, China will definitely achieve reunification,” Lin Jian said, once again underlining Beijing’s tough stance.
