China threatens to take Taiwan by force

Tokyo China has presented a new white paper on Taiwan – thereby exacerbating the conflict with the island state. The publication makes it clear that there is no compromise for the leadership in Beijing: they are unequivocally raising their claim on the island nation. “Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times,” the text reads.

This situation must be restored: “The wheel of history is rolling towards national reunification, we will not let any person or force stop us.”

The white paper follows unprecedented military exercises near the island, which the People’s Republic claims as its territory. The trigger was the visit of US top politician Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan last week.

China had said in two previous white papers on Taiwan in 1993 and 2000 that it would not send troops or administrative personnel to Taiwan after “reunification.” That promise has been retracted in the new publication.