Sun, Oct 09, 2022 page3

• China likely to step up unification: report

  • By Chen Yu-fu and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writer
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  The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is likely to step up efforts to “unify” with Taiwan at its 20th National Congress, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said, citing a report it commissioned.

  The congress, to start next week, is likely to continue trends seen in the previous edition in 2017, it said.

  The “Chinese dream” and ambitions to create a strong military would be central at this year’s meeting, it said.

  The report said the Chinese military is expected to define new strategic goals, as Beijing steps up efforts to modernize its forces.

  The congress comes ahead of the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and would likely reaffirm the PLA’s purpose, it said.

  The congress is expected to draft a response to what China says is increased pressure by the US, whose military has stepped up its presence in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, the report said.

  The congress would likely reiterate that China does not tolerate “foreign interference” in the Taiwan Strait, especially amid international pressure on Russia to stop its invasion of Ukraine, it said.

  The congress would likely declare that “resolving the Taiwan issue” is the CCP’s “historic mission,” the report said.

  It would likely also renew the CCP’s call for “peaceful unification” and say that Taiwan should be ruled under a “one country, two systems” framework, the report added.

  However, it would likely not renounce that China might seek unification by force, it said, adding that Chinese “harassment of Taiwan” would likely continue after the congress.

  The report said that discussions about “post-unification” Taiwan would likely be guided by a chapter devoted to the “bright future of the peaceful unification of the motherland” in China’s third white paper on Taiwan, which was issued in August.

  The congress would also reaffirm the “one China” principle and the so-called “1992 consensus,” and step up “united front” efforts, the report said.

  As for Hong Kong and Macau, the congress would tout its “accomplishments” in ruling Hong Kong through the “one country, two systems” framework and measures to ensure that only “patriots” hold local office, it said.

  The congress might also detail the goal of unification with Hong Kong and Macau, it said.

  The congress would likely uphold the primacy of CCP rule in all aspects of life in China, it said, adding that the CCP would continue efforts to enforce party discipline.

  The so-called “1992 consensus,” a term former MAC chairman Su Chi (蘇起) in 2006 admitted making up in 2000, refers to a tacit understanding between the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Chinese government that both sides of the Strait acknowledge there is “one China,” with each side having its own interpretation of what “China” means.
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