China canceling the promise not to deploy troops to Taiwanopens the possibility of the Bamboo Curtain country sending the military to the area.
“We do not rule out the use of troops, and are ready to take various available options,” said China’s latest white paper, released on Wednesday (10/8).
In the white paper, China claims it is ready to formally re-unite Taiwan into its sovereignty by peaceful means. However, they did not hesitate to use troops if someone disobeyed.
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“We will only take drastic measures to respond to provocations from separatist elements or external forces if they cross the line.”
In two previous Chinese white papers released in 1993 and 2000, Beijing said it “will not send troops or government personnel to be stationed in Taiwan” once the two are united.
However, the statement was not included in China’s latest white paper, even though the promise was aimed at convincing Taiwan that it would gain autonomy if it wanted to rejoin.
Not only that, a number of statements in the white paper in 2000 also no longer exist in the latest version.
One of the missing clauses reads, “Anything is negotiable” as long as Taiwan admits there is only one China and does not want independence.
In addition, the document also confirms that China will not tolerate ‘separatist activity’ in Taiwan.
“We are ready to provide ample space for peaceful reunification, but we will not allow any form of separatist activity,” the document reads, as quoted by Reuters. AFP.
Taiwan itself has lived under the threat of Chinese invasion since 1949, when the two were separated due to civil war. At that time, the government of the Republic of China (ROC) fled to Taiwan after the leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Mao Zedong won the war.
(pwn/has)
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