China to Take All Steps Necessary to Reach Reunification With Taiwan - White Book

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - China reserves the right to take all necessary measures in response to the provocations by instigators of Taiwan’s separatism in the event of failure to reach peaceful reunification with the island, including the "last resort" of the use of force, according to a new Beijing white book released on Wednesday.

The document titled "The Taiwan Question and China's Reunification in the New Era" was jointly prepared and published by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the State Council Information Office of China. Beijing regularly publishes white papers to clarify its policy on various pressing issues.

"Separatism will plunge Taiwan into the abyss and bring nothing but disaster to the island. To protect the interests of the Chinese nation as a whole, including our compatriots in Taiwan, we must resolutely oppose it and work for peaceful reunification. We are ready to create vast space for peaceful reunification; but we will leave no room for separatist activities in any form," the document read.

China will not tolerate any interference in the Taiwan issue as it is an internal affair that affects its interests and the national sentiments of the Chinese people, according to the white book.

"No one should underestimate our resolve, will and ability to defend China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will work with the greatest sincerity and exert our utmost efforts to achieve peaceful reunification. But we will not renounce the use of force, and we reserve the option of taking all necessary measures," the document read.

The document specified that relevant measures will be directed against the separatist activity of the external forces and in no way against Taiwanese compatriots.

"Use of force would be the last resort taken under compelling circumstances. We will only be forced to take drastic measures to respond to the provocation of separatist elements or external forces should they ever cross our red lines," the white book read, adding that China’s ultimate goal is to "ensure the prospects of China's peaceful reunification and advance this process."

The document noted that the reunification of China and Taiwan will not harm the interests of other countries, including their economic interests on the island.

"The reunification of China will not harm the legitimate interests of any other country, including any economic interests they might have in Taiwan. On the contrary, it will bring more development opportunities to all countries; it will create more positive momentum for prosperity and stability in the Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world; it will contribute more to building a global community of shared future, promoting world peace and development, and propelling human progress," the document read.

The white book emphasizes that following the reunification, all interested countries can continue to develop economic and cultural relations with Taiwan and with the Chinese government's approval, they will be able to open their embassies and other official or semi-official institutions on the island. The same applies to international organizations and companies.

The level of Taiwan’s economic development is already relatively high and after the reunification, the mechanism of economic cooperation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait will become more advanced, the document noted, adding that Taiwan’s economy will be able to develop more actively with unlimited access to the mainland Chinese market, stable production and supply chains.

The important part is that Beijing pledged to respect the social order and lifestyle of Taiwanese nationals, as well as their private property, religious beliefs and legitimate rights.

"Provided that China's sovereignty, security and development interests are guaranteed, after reunification Taiwan will enjoy a high degree of autonomy as a special administrative region," the document read.

The situation around Taiwan escalated following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's recent visit to Taipei. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and opposes any direct official foreign contacts with the island. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China will leave no room for the pro-Taiwanese independence forces as the reunification of Taiwan with China is historically inevitable and all attempts to use Taiwan to contain China are doomed to failure.