China has renewed its strong opposition to Taiwan’s independence and warned that its ability to crush separatist efforts is “unshakable,” ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing, Reuters reported Tuesday.
According to China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, the issue of Taiwan will be one of the key topics during Trump’s two-day meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly said it opposes any move toward formal independence for the self-governed island.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te recently described Taiwan as an “independent and democratic country” and said the island would not bow to pressure from Beijing.
Responding to those remarks, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said Taiwan “has never been and will never become an independent country.”
“It does not matter how many times Lai Ching-te repeats his lies, they will never become the truth,” the spokesperson said, according to Reuters.
The Chinese official added that Beijing’s determination to oppose Taiwan independence was “as solid as a rock” and said China’s capability to stop separatist movements remained “unshakable.”
China has not ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, although Beijing says it still prefers what it calls “peaceful reunification.”
The United States is Taiwan’s most important international supporter and largest arms supplier, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations between Washington and Taipei.
Tensions between China and the United States have increased in recent years over Taiwan, trade, technology restrictions, military activity in the South China Sea
