Mainland China's top Taiwan affairs official vowed in a new year's message to show utmost sincerity in pursuing peaceful reunification with Taiwan, but never tolerate any form of 'Taiwan independence' separatist activities. The statement came days after a large-scale PLA drill around the island.
Song Tao, head of Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office, issued a statement on Friday saying his message was published in the latest issue of the state-backed journal Relations Across the Taiwan Strait. He stated that mainland China had strengthened its capacity to safeguard peace and security over the past year and would take more forceful action to oppose separatism and external interference this year.
"We are willing to show the utmost sincerity and make the greatest efforts to strive for the bright prospect of peaceful reunification, but we will never leave any room for any form of ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities," Song said.
Song pointed to measures taken over the past year to safeguard peace and stability, including a symposium held in Beijing in March to mark the 20th anniversary of the Anti-Secession Law and two large-scale exercises. The recent PLA exercise, known as Justice Mission 2025, was conducted on a broader scale and closer to Taiwan than previous drills. Beijing described it as a warning to “independence forces” and against external interference.
The message comes amid heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait, following the military drill seen as a signal to Taiwan.