China will never promise to renounce the use of force on Taiwan , a position that targets outside interference and the small minority of separatists . "We are willing to commit to the prospect of peaceful reunification with utmost sincerity and commitment," Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Beijing government's Taiwan Affairs Office, said on the latest large-scale maneuvers on Oct. 14 around the island ('Joint Sword 2024/B'). "But we will never commit to renouncing the use of force ."

Chen, speaking at a briefing in Beijing, said he believed that "the very small number of separatists do not represent the vast majority of Taiwan's population ." China considers the island an "inalienable" and "sacred" part of its territory to be reunified by force if necessary.

On October 14, the Dragon Armed Forces staged the large-scale military exercises 'Joint Sword 2024/B', surrounding Taipei with an air and sea blockade, as a warning of "separatist acts" after accusations of a "pro-independence" speech given for the National Day of October 10 by Taiwanese President William Lai. The island's government, however, believes that only the people can decide its future.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media in Taipei, Taiwan's National Security Office director-general Tsai Ming-yen said this morning that the exercises had backfired on China given the international condemnation they had generated , particularly from Washington.

“The military maneuvers have created a negative effect in that they have made the international community more favorable to Taiwan,” Tsai commented.

(Unioneonline/vl)

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