China on Thursday (September 21) called on the UN not to underestimate its “firm will” regarding Taiwan, while assuring that Beijing preferred a peaceful “reunification”. At the rostrum of the UN General Assembly, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng repeated China’s position that Taiwan is an “inalienable part” of China.
“No one should underestimate the strong determination, strong will and power of the Chinese people to guarantee their sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said. “Achieving the complete reunification of China is an aspiration of all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation,” the Chinese leader added.
“We will continue to work for peaceful reunification with great sincerity and effort,” he said. Almost all states recognize Beijing and not Taipei, but the United States is the island’s most powerful ally, and notably provides it with substantial military support. Some U.S. officials have expressed concern about China’s desire to retake the island by force, particularly if Taiwan formally declares independence.
Experts believe that Beijing could learn lessons from Ukraine, a year and a half after the Russian invasion. Regarding this conflict in Ukraine, China is trying to position itself as a neutral country, despite its stated support for the Kremlin.
Han Zheng called for a “cessation of hostilities and a resumption of peace negotiations” on Ukraine. “China supports all efforts conducive to a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian crisis, and is ready to continue to play a constructive role” towards peace, he assured.
The Chinese vice president met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier this week, a new effort to calm the tumultuous relationship between the two powers.