Beijing and Taipei traded competing visions late last week over the fate of Taiwan as China signaled its determination to bring the island under its control while Taiwan’s president amplified her support of those resisting Chinese authority.
Officials in Beijing reiterated their commitment to "pro-actively” tackling the Taiwan issue — including possible military action — at an event Friday marking the 15th anniversary of China’s anti-secession law. For the most part taking their cues from President Xi Jinping’s previous comments on Taiwan, officials said Taiwan’s future lies in a political union with the mainland.
"We tell independence forces that no matter what they do, it’s illegal and ineffective,” said Li Zhanshu, the chairman of China’s National People’s Congress. "No matter what foreign forces they work with, they won’t be able to change the historical fact that Taiwan is a part of China.”