China signals force remains option in Taiwan policy amid “reunification” push

China reiterated that it “absolutely will not” rule out the use of force to achieve reunification with Taiwan, underscoring a firmer stance than recent state media articles that portrayed a more benign approach toward the island.

China regards democratically governed Taiwan as part of its territory and has never formally renounced the use of force to bring the island under Beijing’s control. While the policy is rarely articulated in public, it contrasts sharply with three commentaries this week by the Xinhua news agency, which outlined how “patriots” could govern Taiwan after reunification and promised that the island’s existing social system and way of life would be respected, Reuters reports.

Peng Qing’en, spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, told a regular press conference in Beijing that peaceful reunification under the “one country, two systems” framework remains the fundamental approach to resolving the Taiwan issue.

“We are willing to create ample space for peaceful reunification and will spare no effort to pursue this prospect with the utmost sincerity,” Peng said. “However, we absolutely will not renounce the use of force and reserve the option to take all necessary measures.”

China’s top official in charge of Taiwan policy, Wang Huning, the Communist Party’s fourth-ranked leader, did not reference the use of force in a recent policy speech, focusing instead on the purported mutual benefits of reunification.

The renewed emphasis on the autonomy model for Taiwan—rejected by all major Taiwanese political parties—comes ahead of a scheduled meeting on October 30 between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. When asked whether Taiwan would be discussed, Trump responded that he did not know.

Taiwan’s government continues to reject Beijing’s sovereignty claims. Speaking in Taipei, Taiwan National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen criticized China’s “patriots” model, citing its use in Hong Kong and Macau.

“The aim is to belittle Taiwan’s international standing, and Hong Kong-ify and Macau-ify Taiwan, to achieve the political objective of eliminating Taiwan’s sovereignty, which the Chinese Communist Party seeks to do,” Tsai said. “I think the Chinese communists have no way to enact the application of the Macau or Hong Kong model in Taiwan.”

Taiwan maintains a vibrant democratic system. Its first direct presidential election was held in 1996, and candidates are free to campaign on pro-independence or pro-Beijing platforms. By contrast, Hong Kong, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, held its first “patriots-only” election in 2021 with candidates vetted for loyalty to Beijing, resulting in historically low voter turnout.

China continues to refuse direct dialogue with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, whom it labels a “separatist.”

By Vafa Guliyeva