China warns against not tolerating Taiwanese ‘separatists’

China on Wednesday pledged zero tolerance for “separatist activities” in Taiwan and reiterated it would take the self-governing island by force if necessary.

The warning from Beijing, which considers Taiwan its territory, came after days of unprecedented Chinese military drills around the island sparked by the trip of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosis.

Pelosi last week became the highest-ranking US official to visit Taiwan in decades, despite strong threats from China, which is trying to keep Taipei isolated on the world stage.

China’s Bureau of Taiwan Affairs issued a white paper on Wednesday outlining how it intends to claim the island through a range of economic stimulus and military pressure.

“We stand ready to make room for peaceful reunification, but we will leave no room for any form of separatist activity,” the white paper said.

China “will not refrain from using force and we reserve the option to take any action necessary.”

However, it added: “We will only be forced to take drastic measures to respond to the provocation of separatist elements or external forces should they ever cross our red lines.”

China last issued a White Paper on Taiwan in 2000.

Since the late 1990s, the island has transformed itself from an autocracy into a vibrant democracy, and a strong Taiwanese identity has emerged.

Relations between the two sides have deteriorated significantly since Tsai Ing-wen became president in 2016.

Tsai and her Democratic Progressive Party do not see Taiwan as part of China.

Their platform falls under China’s broad definition of Taiwanese separatism, which also includes those who advocate for the island to have a separate identity from the mainland.

The Chinese White Paper promised economic prosperity and “greater security and dignity” for Taiwan after “reunification”.

But that offer comes in the shadow of the largest military exercises China has conducted around the island, including training for a blockade.

The drills have raised fears that China’s communist leadership may be preparing for an invasion.

The exercises were originally due to end on Sunday but have resumed this week with no confirmation of when they will end.

The People’s Liberation Army of China on Wednesday released details of drills it conducted in Taiwan a day earlier.

The PLA’s Eastern Theater Command said Tuesday’s drills focused on establishing air dominance, releasing videos and photos of jet fighters taking off, and conducting maneuvers — including in-flight refueling from a tanker.

Taiwan has accused China of using the Pelosi visit as an excuse to rehearse an invasion.

It has been conducting its own military drills to prepare for an attack on the island and on Wednesday released footage of its air, land and naval forces responding to the Chinese drills.

Taiwan drills prompted another Chinese alert on Tuesday.

Any conspiracy to “resist reunification with arms,” ​​said Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, “will fail like a praying mantis trying to stop a chariot.”