BEIJING, May 13 – Chinese officials delivered stern warnings about Taiwan’s independence movements on Wednesday as President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing for high-level diplomatic talks.
During a weekly press conference, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office declared the nation’s determination to prevent Taiwan’s independence remains unwavering, with capabilities to defeat separatist movements described as steadfast.
The status of Taiwan, a democratically-run island that Beijing considers part of its territory, will likely feature prominently in discussions between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their two-day meeting schedule.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te pushed back against Beijing’s claims during remarks at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit on Tuesday, describing the island as a free and independent democracy that refuses to yield to external threats.
Chinese officials rejected these assertions outright. Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhang Han dismissed President Lai’s statements during the Beijing briefing.
“No matter how many times Lai Ching-te repeats his lies, even a thousand times, they remain lies, and they will never become the truth,” Zhang Han stated.
“Our resolve to oppose Taiwan independence is as firm as a rock, and our capability to crush Taiwan independence is unbreakable.”
While Beijing maintains it prefers what it calls “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan, Chinese leadership has consistently refused to rule out military action to achieve its territorial goals.
The United States serves as Taiwan’s primary international ally and weapons provider, even without official diplomatic recognition. Trump’s administration recently approved an unprecedented $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan in December.
