China‘s Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian speaks on conflict with Taiwan

China‘s Ambassador to Australia has claimed his nation is looking for a “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan, but refused to rule out “other options”.

China‘s Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian has claimed his nation’s government is looking for a “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan, as conflict over the region continues to simmer.

Speaking with the ABC’s Sarah Ferguson on Tuesday night’s 7.30, Mr Xiao said the Chinese Communist Party “cannot rule out other options” after “waiting patiently” to reclaim the island nation for over 70 years.

“The policy of the Chinese government is for peaceful reunification. We have been talking a lot about the other choices, but there is another policy. The policy is for peaceful reunification,” he said.

“That is why we have been so patiently waiting for more than seven decades, we are waiting for a peaceful reunification but we cannot rule out other options. If we keep the other options we have a chance of peaceful reunification.”

Mr Xiao hit back at criticisms that China would move to ‘re-educate’ the population to adhere to Chinese values on the mainland.

“Like people in this country, they have to learn English language, learn history about Australia ... there‘s no question about forcing someone to receive education. So I would not use the word re-education, it carries a very complicated meaning,” he said.

“In China, people are supposed to learn Chinese language, otherwise you cannot communicate, and people in every country have to learn their national language. This is a question of obligation ... not a question of force.

“When [Taiwan] is reunited with the motherland, they will receive education, together with the other 1.4 billion Chinese people. And there is no need for us to either re-educate or educate in a different way.”

Mr Xiao chillingly warned secessionists would be “punished according to law” for their involvement in splitting Taiwan from China.

“For those secessionists, it is not a question of re-education. They are going to be punished according to law. They are being involved in splitting Taiwan from China. So it‘s not a question of re-education ... they will be punished according to law.”

China‘s Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian has claimed his nation’s government is looking for a “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan, as conflict over the region continues to simmer.

Mr Xiao said the Chinese Communist Party ‘cannot rule out other options’ after ‘waiting patiently’ to reclaim the island nation for over 70 years.

Last month, Mr Xiao spoke at the national press club in Canberra and insisted most people in Taiwan consider themselves Chinese.

“There are 23 million people in Taiwan. Don’t they get a say in what should happen to their future?” Ambassador Xiao Qian was asked.

“The future of Taiwan will be decided by 1.4 billion Chinese people,” he responded.

“And at the same time, I believe that the majority of the people in Taiwan believe they’re Chinese. They believe Taiwan is part of China and Taiwan is a province of China. They are for reunion.”

That assertion contradicts a wealth of data measuring the stance of Taiwan’s people.

According to data from National Chengchi University’s Election Study Centre, for example, a mere 2.4 per cent of Taiwanese consider themselves Chinese. A further 30.4 per cent believe they are both Chinese and Taiwanese.

Meanwhile a hefty 63.7 per cent majority consider themselves solely Taiwanese.

During his press club address, the ambassador also said China was willing to use “all necessary means” in relation to Taiwan, warning that there was “no room for compromise” to protect its sovereignty.

Rejecting the word invasion and arguing Taiwan should be peacefully reunited with “the Motherland”, he suggested Australians “use their imagination” about what that means.

Analysts say China is putting pressure and strain on Taiwan to try and ‘break its resolve’ and encourage it to come back under its orbit.

Meanwhile, analysts say China is putting pressure and strain on Taiwan to try and “break its resolve” and encourage it to come back under its orbit.

“Of course, Taiwan doesn’t want to do that – they’re a strong democracy, a very successful democracy,” Sky News Senior Investigative Reporter Jonathan Lea said.

“But this is all going to play out not just over the coming weeks, but the next decade.”

Mr Xiao also took a swipe at the recent UN report detailing “credible” allegations of human rights abuses committed by China against the Uyghur population.

“It is an absolute fabrication ... this second report is a product of manipulation ... there is nothing true in it,” he told ABC’s 7.30.

“Australia is entitled to their own views, but I‘m going to suggest that Australia should check against the facts before making serious statements [on the Xinjiang region].

“[Uyghurs] used to be Chinese compatriots ... they have either been misled or been re-educated by certain cessationist forces outside of China ... I hope they will eventually come to realise that their home is in China, and they are Chinese citizens.”

— with Samantha Maiden