China Affirms Not To Put Aside Taiwan's 'Unbeaten' Military Forces

JAKARTA - China insists it does not rule out the use of force over Taiwan. This statement is much more assertive than a series of articles in state media that promise soft government if the island is handed over to Beijing.

China, which views democratically-ruled Taiwan as its own territory, has never abandoned the use of force to "reunify" with the island.

Peng Qing'en, spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a regular press conference in Beijing, "reunification" peacefully under the "one country, two systems" is a fundamental approach to "resolving Taiwan's problems".

"We are willing to create a broad space for peaceful reunification and will do our best to realize this prospect with the highest sincerity," he said.

"However, we will not leave the use of force at all and will still have the option to take all necessary steps," he continued.

Speaking in front of military officers at the presidential office on Wednesday, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said determination was needed in the face of Chinese military pressure

"Taiwan must not only show his determination to defend his homeland, but must also firmly oppose the annexation, aggression, and progress of unification," he said.

The top Chinese official in charge of Taiwan's policy, the leader of the ruling Communist Party, Wang Huning, did not mention the use of force in his main policy speech on Saturday, focusing on how both sides would benefit from a "reunification".