China has announced a stronger policy of reunification with Taiwan
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has announced the government's intention to strengthen its policy on reunifying Taiwan with the mainland. He made the announcement during a speech to China's highest legislative body.
According to Li Qiang, Beijing will continue to adhere to the one-China principle and pursue the Communist Party's policy on resolving the Taiwan issue.
"We will fully implement the party's policy on resolving the Taiwan issue and remain committed to the one-China principle. We will strike decisively against separatist forces advocating so-called Taiwan independence, resist interference from external forces, promote peaceful development of cross-strait relations, and advance the great cause of reunification," Li Qiang said.
The head of the Chinese government also announced his intention to expand exchanges and cooperation between mainland China and the island. According to him, Beijing plans to deepen integrated development between the two sides and jointly develop Chinese culture.
"We will implement policies aimed at ensuring equal treatment of our Taiwanese compatriots in order to improve the well-being of the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Working together, all of us Chinese will achieve the great cause of national rejuvenation," the premier said.
The report of the National People's Congress also states that Beijing will counter separatist forces and interference from foreign countries and promote the reunification of the country.
The Chinese authorities also announced their intention to increase defence spending by 7 per cent in 2026.
Since the proclamation of the People's Republic of China, Taiwan has been governed by its own democratically elected administration. The Chinese authorities consider the island to be their province and declare their intention to achieve reunification with the mainland.
The Taiwanese administration rejects Beijing's claims to sovereignty over the island and insists that only the people of Taiwan can determine their future.
