By Alfred Sasako
AS President Tsai Ing-wen prepares to visit Pacific allies next month, China has again warned that there’s only one future for Taiwan – reunification.
The warning was issued in a briefing provided by the Director General of Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council (of China), Du Shixin, who met a visiting delegation from seven Pacific Island countries in Beijing yesterday.
“There is only one future for Taiwan – that to return to China,” Mr Du said.
He urged Pacific Island Countries that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan to consider their future carefully, saying “there is no political future for Taiwan.”
“Once Taiwan disappears as a sovereign nation, any diplomatic relations it has with any country, also disappears. Those Pacific island countries will be sorry. They will miss out on the benefits from China’s Belt and Road initiative, which has the potential for economic development for the Pacific region,” Mr Du said.
Solomon Islands is one of six Pacific Islands nations that has diplomatic relations with Taipei.
“What people need to understand is that diplomatic relations with Taiwan will disappear sooner or later. There is no way the Chinese government will allow one of its local governments enjoy diplomatic relations with outside countries. There is only one sovereign nation and China is that nation,” Mr Du said.
“Four things people ought to understand about China. First, it is a member of the United Nations Security Council. Secondly, it is the second largest economy in the world. Thirdly, it is largest developing country and fourthly China is the driving engine of the global economy.
“Come with us and enjoy all the benefits our world status offers or starve yourself of the necessary help for economic growth,” Mr Du said.
“Reuniting China and Taiwan will be the irreversible trend,” he said, warning China would not abandon the use of force should it become necessary.”
Mr Du said while Beijing was still pursuing peaceful reunification, it “must also take into account the feelings and wishes of its 1.38 billion people who want to see Taiwan reunited with China.”
He also provided a brief history on Taiwan and its relations with China.
Mr Du said Taiwan was initially ceded to Japan but it was returned to China in November 1945 after 50 years of Japanese occupation. In 1971, sovereignty was granted to Mainland China by the United Nations.
“Since then, Taiwan also known as the Republic of China and its citizens have been barred from the United Nations and its many UN agencies around the world. So the claim by Taiwan as a legitimate sovereign state has neither historical nor legal basis. Taiwan is an integral part of China,” Mr Du said.
He also told the delegations that Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen is due to visit its six Pacific allies next month. No other details were available.
