Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has pledged to advance peaceful growth in relations with Taiwan and “reunification” on Saturday.

He also said his government firmly opposes any separatist activities or foreign interference – drawing a firm rebuke from Taiwan‘s capital of Taipei.

It comes after former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo gave a speech in Taipei on Friday, where he said the US should recognise Taiwan as a country.

Taiwan and China split during a civil war in 1949, but China claims the island as its own territory.

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China has increased military activity near the island over the past two years in response to what it calls “collusion” between Taipei and Washington, Taiwan’s main international backer and arms supplier.

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Li said on Saturday that Beijing stands by the “one China” principle, which states Taiwan is part of China.

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Speaking at the opening of the annual meeting of China’s parliament, he said: “We will advance the peaceful growth of relations across the Taiwan Strait and the reunification of China.

“We firmly oppose any separatist activities seeking ‘Taiwan independence’ and firmly oppose foreign interference.”

He added: “All of us, Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, should come together to advance the great and glorious cause of China’s rejuvenation.”

In response, Taiwan says China should instead focus on addressing the real concerns of its people and promoting democracy rather than “undermining international rules and order”.

“Taiwanese public opinion firmly opposes the political framework, military intimidation and diplomatic suppression imposed by China,” Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council said.

“Democratic Taiwan is a force for regional peace and stability.”

The majority of Taiwan’s citizens have shown no desire in being ruled by autocratic China.

Taiwan expert Liu Guoshen said Li’s wording was very similar to previous years.

Referring to Taiwan’s ruling party, Liu said: “No matter what games the United States or the Democratic Progressive Party play, they won’t affect the resolve of the Chinese government on the line they have set for work on Taiwan.”

In 2020, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen was re-elected by a landslide on a promise of defending the island’s democracy and standing up to China.

China claims the Taiwan leader wants to push for the island’s formal independence – a red line for the Chinese government, which has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under Beijing’s control and has refused Ms Tsai’s offers of talks.

Ms Tsai says Taiwan is already an independent country called the Republic of China, its formal name.

However, international politicians often add “Taiwan” in their public comments.

Washington ended formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979 when it recognised the People’s Republic of China.

Relations between the US and China have become increasingly tense during the pandemic.

In a speech organised by a Taiwan think-tank, Mr Pompeo said: “The United States government should immediately take necessary and long overdue steps to do the right and obvious thing: that is to offer the Republic of China, Taiwan, America’s diplomatic recognition as a free and sovereign country.

“While the United States should continue to engage with the People’s Republic of China as a sovereign government, America’s diplomatic recognition of the 23 million freedom-loving Taiwanese people and its legal, democratically-elected government can no longer be ignored, avoided, or treated as secondary.”

His comments drew a stern rebuke from China, with the country’s foreign ministry spokesperson Wang
Wenbin saying: “Pompeo is a former politician whose credibility has long gone bankrupt. Such a person’s babbling nonsense will have no success.”

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