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Chen Binhua, Deputy Director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China

Chen Binhua, Deputy Director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, commented on statements by politicians from the Democratic Progressive Party on the island, who claimed that China "has no plans" for military action against Taipei.

BEIJING, November 28. /TASS/. China is willing to create ample opportunities for peaceful reunification with Taiwan, but will not tolerate separatist activities aimed at "Taiwan independence." This was stated on Monday by a Chinese official, according to the CGTN television channel.

"I want to emphasize that 'Taiwan independence' means war," said Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China. He was commenting on statements by politicians from the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan, who claimed that Beijing "has no plans" for military action against the island.

The mainland China, Chen Binhua clarified, "will not tolerate or show leniency" to forces advocating "Taiwan independence" if they dare to risk provoking incidents that promote "Taiwan independence."

Taiwan has been governed by its own administration since 1949, when remnants of Kuomintang forces led by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) fled to the island after their defeat in the Chinese Civil War. Since then, Taipei has retained the flag and some other attributes of the former Republic of China, which existed on the mainland before the communists came to power. According to Beijing's official position, supported by most countries including Russia, Taiwan is one of the provinces of the People's Republic of China.

(TASS/JaV)