[Correspondent Diary] Three Tactics of Chinese State Media for Taiwan Unification

Post US-China Summit Reports Show 'Diplomatic Pressure, Military Threats, and Taiwan Internal Division'
Criticism of Taiwan's 500 Billion TWD Spending on US Arms Purchases... Taiwan Will Prosper After Unification

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] "It is a matter of interest how much Chinese state media will flood articles related to Taiwan after the first US-China virtual summit." This was said by a source well-versed in Beijing's political circles before the US-China summit, with the disclaimer that it was a personal opinion. The tone in which state media publishes articles about Taiwan could indicate the future of cross-strait (China-Taiwan) and US-China relations.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In fact, after the summit, Chinese state media have been releasing articles in three formats: 'diplomatic justification and pressure,' 'military threat,' and 'internal division within Taiwan.'

Immediately following the summit between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 16th (Beijing local time), Chinese state media gave significant coverage to President Biden's remarks on Taiwan.

Xinhua News Agency reported that President Biden said, "We do not support Taiwan independence and hope for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait." It also reported that he told President Xi that "the United States has consistently implemented the 'One China' policy." The report added that the two leaders held a 3-hour and 30-minute conversation and that the atmosphere was not bad.

President Xi emphasized during the meeting that "the Taiwan authorities' independence moves are very dangerous, like playing with fire," and stressed that the One China principle is the political foundation of China-US relations. Xi warned, "Previous US administrations have made clear commitments on the Taiwan issue," and said, "China is willing to be patient and work towards peaceful reunification, but if Taiwan separatists cross the line, we will take resolute measures."

Judging solely by the wording, President Biden's remarks on Taiwan align with the existing US stance. China also maintained its existing position. However, Biden's mention of 'guardrails' implied a desire not to worsen the situation, and China appears to have agreed with this.

The provocative words from President Xi such as "playing with fire" and "resolute measures if the line is crossed" are widely interpreted as messages directed at the Taiwan authorities rather than the US.

Indeed, after the summit, state media pressured the Taiwan authorities by stating that the meaning and content of the 'One China' principle are very clear both politically and legally.

Diplomatic officials also lent their support. On the 20th, Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister, delivered a congratulatory speech at the 'Global Think Tank Conference' held online by the Indonesian Foreign Policy Association, stating, "We (China) will do our best to pursue the prospect of peaceful reunification but will never tolerate Taiwan independence actions that divide the country," and "We will never accept 'two Chinas' or 'one China, one Taiwan' on the international stage."

He added, "In the Asia-Pacific region, there are two opposing trends: one aiming to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability based on mutually beneficial cooperation, and the other involving small military and political groups that provoke conflict and confrontation. The latter damages regional peace and prosperity." This was interpreted as a reaffirmation of China's stance on Taiwan to ASEAN countries.

Military pressure has also resumed. On the 20th, CCTV reported that a destroyer unit of the People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command Navy conducted live combat training in the East China Sea. It also added that soldiers from a brigade of the Eastern Theater Command Army responsible for Taiwan recently conducted live training exercises during both day and night.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Alongside diplomatic and military pressure, reports have also emerged about Taiwan's economic situation after reunification, particularly emphasizing a significant improvement in the income of the Taiwanese people.

The People's Political Consultative Conference's official newspaper, Renmin Zhengxie Bao, estimated that Taiwan spends about 600 billion New Taiwan Dollars (approximately 25.7 trillion Korean Won) annually on military and diplomatic fields. It emphasized that if peaceful reunification occurs, this enormous amount of money would be used for the Taiwanese people.

Renmin Zhengxie Bao claimed that after reunification, all 23 million Taiwanese people would be protected by the People's Liberation Army and would receive strong support from the motherland.

Some in Beijing speculate that since President Xi's third term is virtually confirmed, all diplomatic activities of the Chinese leadership are likely to focus on cross-strait reunification. It is expected that alongside military pressure, there will be extensive propaganda about the economic benefits of Taiwan reunification and a strategy to divide Taiwan internally.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.