China will make utmost efforts to realize peaceful reunification, but never promises to renounce the use of force, to safeguard territorial integrity, a spokesman said on Wednesday.
Peng Qing'en, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said "our overarching policy toward Taiwan remains consistent and clear." He was responding to a query about public opinion noting the omission of the phrase "peaceful reunification" in the Communique of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, which emphasized "promoting the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait and advancing the cause of national reunification."
"Peaceful reunification and 'One Country, Two Systems' constitute the basic principle for resolving the Taiwan question and the best way to realize national reunification. We remain committed to creating ample space for peaceful reunification and will pursue the prospect of peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and greatest effort. However, we will never renounce the use of force. We reserve the option of taking all measures necessary," Peng said.
"Peaceful reunification requires joint efforts and mutual goodwill from compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. We call on our Taiwan compatriots to stand with us in firmly opposing any form of Taiwan separatist activities and external interference, steadfastly advancing the cause of national reunification, and striving for the enduring well-being for the Chinese nation while sharing the glory of its great rejuvenation," he said.
China committed to peaceful reunification but never renounces use of force: spokesman
China committed to peaceful reunification but never renounces use of force: spokesman
China committed to peaceful reunification but never renounces use of force: spokesman
