PRC steps up pressure on Taiwan for ‘peace agreement’

One of the 1,600 ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan

Recent language by China seems to confirm predictions by Taiwanese officials that Beijing intends to push harder for the signing of a peace agreement 

With the completion of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 18th National Congress last month, Beijing is stepping up pressure on Taiwan to begin political talks and sign a cross-strait “peace agreement.” 

During a routine press conference in Beijing yesterday, Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Fan Liqing (范麗青) said that China remained committed to safeguarding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, adding that concerns on Taiwan’s side over the deployment by China of about 1,600 ballistic missiles would be best addressed through timely meetings on military issues. 

The best way to reduce military concerns would be for the two sides to discuss the establishment of a cross-strait mutual-trust security mechanism, during which issues of military deployments could be addressed, Fan said. 

My article, published today in the Taipei Times, continues here.