A Beijing official warned Wednesday that if Taiwan progressed to its Independence, China would take “severe measures,” adding that Taiwan’s resentment and foreign interference could escalate next year.
China claims that Taiwan is a democratically elected state and that it has stepped up military and diplomatic pressure over the past two years to bolster its claim, which has sparked outrage in Taipei and concerns in Washington.
At a press conference, Ma Xiaoguang, a spokeswoman for the Taiwanese News Office, told a news conference that China was determined to do everything possible to achieve a peaceful reunion with Taiwan, but if the red lines on freedom were broken, China would respond.
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“If the divisive forces in Taiwan want liberation, force, or breach of any red line, we will have to take drastic measures,” she said.
Late Wednesday, the Taiwanese News Council issued a statement urging Beijing to “seriously consider its mission towards Taiwan and make an informed decision on the situation.”
In order to maintain peace throughout the Taiwan Strait and region, the Council reiterated its call for equal dialogue and said it maintained a policy of “non-violence.”
Despite the lack of official communication, Taiwan has emerged as an integral part of the strained relations between Taiwan and the United States, the island’s most important international sponsor and arms supplier.