China’s Taiwan Affairs Office on Wednesday stated clearly that Beijing “absolutely will not” rule out the use of force over Taiwan, marking a sharp shift from this week’s more conciliatory state-media commentary that offered a future under Beijing’s rule.
The statement shows Beijing’s dual approach: presenting a model for “peaceful reunification” while preserving a military option. The firm line raises questions about how serious China’s push for diplomacy really is and complicates stability ahead of a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Peng Qing’en, the spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office, reiterated that China prefers “one country, two systems” but will simultaneously “reserve the option to take all necessary measures.” Meanwhile, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said the island must “firmly oppose annexation, aggression, and the advancement of unification” while demonstrating resolve to defend its homeland.
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Taiwan’s National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen further criticized Beijing’s model for Taiwan, saying it mirrored top-down political control seen in Hong Kong and Macau and held no appeal in Taiwan. He said the proposal aimed to “Hong Kong-ify” and “Macau-ify” Taiwan, thereby eliminating its sovereignty.
China has long maintained it will not renounce the use of force in bringing Taiwan under its control.
This week, three Xinhua commentaries painted a more benign vision of how Taiwan would be governed under reunification—but the spokesperson’s remarks signal a return to hard-line messaging. The coming U.S.–China summit in South Korea could feature Taiwan as a key test of whether diplomacy or deterrence will dominate cross-strait relations.
Taiwan-US relations remain solid, Taiwan’s foreign minister said Tuesday, rejecting concerns that President Donald Trump could bargain away the island’s interests when he meets China’s President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
Lin Chia lung told reporters in Taipei that there was no fear of abandonment. He said cooperation with Washington continued across security, trade and business despite Trump seeking a broader trade deal with Beijing.
Asked whether the island might be traded away, Lin replied that ties with the United States were very stable and consistent. The United States does not recognise Taiwan as a sovereign country but is required by law to help it defend itself. That obligation continues to be a persistent point of tension with Beijing.