China is speeding up its plans to take Taiwan and unite it with the mainland, according to United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, reports say.
Beijing, under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party, is pursuing the unification of mainland China and the democratic nation of Taiwan "on a much faster timeline," the State Secretary told audiences during an event in Stanford University on Tuesday, the BBC reported.
While Taiwan sees itself as a separate and self-sufficient entity different from the People's Republic of China, the PRC sees Taiwan as part of its territory, and has not ruled out the use of force in order to take it.
Chinese president Xi Jinping said during the opening of the Communist Party Congress on Sunday that the status quo was no longer acceptable, and that he will use force if it is necessary to his goal of China-Taiwan unification.
Xi, who believes that "complete reunification" with China and neighboring Taiwan should happen, said the use of force will happen if Taiwan will not reunite with China peacefully.
"We will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and the utmost effort, but we will never promise to renounce the use of force," he said.
Tensions Amid Talks Of 'Peace'
The Chinese military's actions in recent months seem to paint a different picture than the Chinese president's words.
It's worth noting that in recent months, China had conducted large-scale military exercises near Taiwan, particularly in response to U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei.
Netizens even shared videos of the Chinese military trying out the use of surfboards in the event of an amphibious attack on the island nation.
Official Policy
Beijing's stance on the matter, the U.S. State Secretary Blinken noted, is what is causing increased tensions in the area.
"That is what is profoundly disrupting the status quo and creating tremendous tensions," he said.
Blinken added that the United States will honor its commitments to Taiwan, and will support the democratic nation's ability to defend itself from any invasion.
While U.S. President Joe Biden said the United States will defend Taiwan from Chinese attack, Washington's official policy is that of ambiguity on the issue. It has always walked on eggshells when it comes to diplomacy between democracy-loving Taiwan and communist-led China.
Not Capable Yet
Despite Xi's words and Beijing's recent actions, some observers aren't convinced that China is actually ready to take Taiwan by force.
One such expert, Bilahari Kausikan, former permanent secretary at Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted that this is because they wouldn't want to start an invasion and fail.
"I don't think any Chinese leader can survive a bungled attempt on Taiwan as Putin bungled Ukraine," Kausikan told CNBC. "And I don't believe they have the capability yet."
