Amid the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the 'Anti-Secession Law' (hereinafter referred to as the Anti-Secession Law), which justifies China's military actions towards Taiwan by emphasizing 'One China', Zhao Leji, the third-ranking official in China, reaffirmed his commitment to the unification of Taiwan.
On this day, at a symposium commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Anti-Secession Law held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Chairperson Zhao noted, "We must deeply understand the significant role of the Anti-Secession Law, firmly combat Taiwan's independence and separatism, and suppress external interference to firmly promote the great cause of national reunification."
The Anti-Secession Law was enacted on March 14, 2005, to prevent Taiwan's independence movement, stemming from the rising voices of independence-leaning individuals in Taiwan in the late 1990s. The Anti-Secession Law emphasizes the 'One China' principle, stating that Taiwan is a part of China. It also emphasizes maximum efforts for peaceful unification of China and Taiwan, while highlighting that military action could be taken if Taiwan declares independence or peaceful unification is deemed impossible. The strengthening of military training by China across the Taiwan Strait is also based on this law.
Chairperson Zhao evaluated that, thanks to the Anti-Secession Law, "we have firmly grasped dominant and leading authority in cross-strait relations and significantly enhanced the institutional system that punishes independence by law." He also added that "we have made new progress and achievements in vigorously upholding the 'One China' principle and promoting anti-independence and unification."
Chairperson Zhao made it clear that he intends to push for Taiwan's unification further. He stated, "Resolving the Taiwan issue and realizing the complete unification of the motherland is the trend of the times, a common aspiration of all, and where the public sentiment is directed," adding that it is "the common desire of the sons and daughters of China and an inevitable requirement for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." He emphasized, "We must strengthen our confidence and determination and firmly advance the process of national unification."
Recently, tensions across the Taiwan Strait have escalated to unprecedented levels. The day before, Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan, stated that the number of Chinese spies in Taiwan has increased and that mainland China's influence within Taiwan is expanding, designating China as an 'overseas hostile force.' In response, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of China declared that "(Tsai Ing-wen) has thoroughly proven herself to be a true 'destroyer of cross-strait peace' and a 'manufacturer of crises in the Taiwan Strait,'" adding that "those who play with fire will definitely get burned."
On this day, while Chairperson Zhao stood at the podium instead of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the level of messaging regarding Taiwan was adjusted, but forecasts suggest that China's pressure on Taiwan will increasingly intensify. Bao Chengke, deputy director of the Shanghai Asia Research Institute, stated, "From the day before, the elements of hostility and confrontation between both sides of the Taiwan Strait have begun to increase even more," predicting that "relations across the Taiwan Strait are likely to become more quickly severe and hostile."