Tension on China-Taiwan: We will combat any efforts towards the island's formal independence

China views Taiwan as part of its territory, despite opposition from Taipei, and has escalated its political and military efforts to reinforce its sovereignty claims.

Last month, Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te was elected as the upcoming president, a figure Beijing has denounced as a perilous separatist. Lai, who is scheduled to take office in May, has consistently made proposals for discussions with China, all of which have been turned down.

Reuters, citing China's Xinhua news agency, reported that Wang Huning, the fourth-highest official in the Communist Party, wrapped up a two-day session focused on Taiwan affairs for the year.

According to Reuters, Xinhua stated that, given this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China, "it is necessary to do a good job on Taiwan-related work with a high sense of responsibility and mission (...) China must resolutely combat the division of Taiwan independence, contain interference from external forces, firmly support the patriotic and reunification forces on the island, unite Taiwan compatriots, and maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait".

The history of conflict between China and Taiwan dates back to the 17th century. Back then, Taiwan, along with other surrounding islands, belonged to the Chinese Empire. In 1894, the Korean War broke out, with China fighting Japan. It was Japan that took more lands by storm, and China asked for a peace treaty, under which it ceded Taiwan to the Japanese. Their rule lasted 50 years, and the island itself was a strategic point during World War II, during which Japan invested in developing the island. The war ended on September 2, 1945, when Japan signed an act of surrender. The world powers decided that Taiwan would return to China.

Both power centers considered themselves representatives of China. The countries of the world reacted differently to this and recognized only one center. It wasn't until 1971 that the U.S. recognized the People's Republic of China (mainland) to improve relations with the Chinese. It was then that Taiwan was in the line of contention with China, as world powers began to lean toward recognizing the People's Republic of China. In 1995, Taiwan held a presidential election whose winner preached independence theses, which angered mainland China. They launched missiles toward the island to scare Taiwan. The U.S. had already sent a huge fleet to the site. Fortunately, an escalation of the conflict was avoided.

The Republic of China (Taiwan) recognizes itself as independent of the People's Republic of China (mainland). The People's Republic of China, in turn, recognizes Taiwan as its province.

Source: Reuters