The Chinese government threatened on Wednesday to impose more trade sanctions on Taiwan if the ruling party there "stubbornly" continues to support independence, marking a new escalation in rhetoric as elections approach on the island next month. Presidential and parliamentary elections in Taiwan are scheduled for January 13, at a time when China seeks to compel the island to accept its sovereignty, considering it a part of its territory.
This month, Taiwan accused China of economic coercion and election interference after Beijing announced the end of tariff reductions on some chemical imports from the island, claiming that Taipei violated a trade agreement signed in 2010 between the two sides. This statement followed China's assertion that Taiwan has imposed trade restrictions contrary to World Trade Organization rules and the trade agreement signed in 2010.
Chen Bin-hua, spokesperson for the Chinese Taiwan Affairs Office, stated in a routine press briefing in Beijing that the "original reason" for the issues related to the 2010 agreement is the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's insistence on the formal independence of the island. He added, "If the Democratic Progressive Party authorities persist stubbornly in their stance on Taiwan’s independence and refuse to back down, we support relevant departments taking further actions according to regulations."
He indicated that Taiwan is facing a "crossroads" and that all matters could be discussed, but only on the basis of opposing the independence of the island, reiterating that independence means war.
