Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece calls on Beijing to take Taiwan by force

A PROMINENT Chinese media outlet has called on Beijing to start conquering, as tensions with the United States rise over Donald Trump’s remarks.

A prominent Chinese media outlet has called on its government to consider using military force as a means of conquering Taiwan.

A PROMINENT Chinese media outlet has called on its government to consider using military force as a means of conquering Taiwan.

The Global Times newspaper, which is known as a far-right mouthpiece for the Chinese Communist Party, is encouraging China to take a more aggressive approach to Taiwan amid tensions with the United States.

“It might be time for the Chinese mainland to reformulate its Taiwan policy, make the use of force as a main option and carefully prepare for it,” it reads.

The editorial calls on China to make rapid preparations for a military incursion, warning that any step towards formal independence by the Taiwanese government could result in consequences.

“Once Taiwan independence forces violate the Anti-Secession Law, the Chinese mainland can in no time punish them militarily,” it states.

“Getting ready to achieve reunification through the use of force can pose a serious deterrence to Taiwan independence.

“The military status quo across the Taiwan Straits needs to be reshaped as a response and punishment to the current administration.”

Chinese officials have already taken less drastic action in this regard, such as limiting the number of mainland tourists.

The outlet has urged the Chinese government, led by President Xi Jinping, to use military force against Taiwan if necessary.

The controversial new editorial comes amid rising tensions with the United States, after President-elect Donald Trump called into question America’s longstanding ‘One China’ policy, by which it officially solely recognises China over Taiwan.

Mr Trump recently suggested the US could scrap the policy.

“I fully understand the One China policy, but I don’t know why we have to be bound by a One China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade,” Mr Trump said in an interview with Fox News.

China’s foreign ministry immediately came out to condemn the remarks, saying: “We urge the incoming US administration and its leaders to fully recognise the sensitivity of the Taiwan question … (and) to properly deal with Taiwan-related matters in a prudent manner so as not to disrupt or damage the overall interests of the bilateral relationship.”

His recent phone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen — the first of such contact in almost four decades — also infuriated China.

Donald Trump’s recent phone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen was not received well in China.

Consistent polling data over the past decade suggests the majority of Taiwanese people are content to maintain the status quo, rather than formally declare independence or officially reunite with mainland China.

In a 2013 survey by the country’s Democratic Progressive Party, 77.6 per cent of respondents identified themselves as Taiwanese, while only 10.1 per cent identified themselves as Chinese.

Asked whether Taiwan and China were parts of one country, almost 80 per cent of respondents disagreed.

More than half the respondents said they hoped Taiwan maintained the status quo “forever”, while 22.2 per cent believed that “Taiwan will be unified by China”.