China Pledges Support for Pro-Unification Forces in Taiwan, Warns Separatists

China Reaffirms Stance on Taiwan Unification

Beijing has reiterated its firm commitment to the 'great cause of national reunification' with Taiwan, pledging support for 'patriotic pro-reunification forces' on the island and vowing to 'strike hard against separatists.' The statement was made by Wang Huning, the ruling Communist Party's fourth-ranked leader and the top Chinese official overseeing Taiwan policy, during the annual Taiwan Work Conference held in Beijing on February 9-10, 2026.

Comments from the conference, published on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, highlighted China's consistent position that Taiwan is its own territory, despite objections from the democratically-governed island. The official state-run Xinhua news agency paraphrased Wang Huning as emphasizing the need to 'firmly support the patriotic pro-unification forces on the island, resolutely strike against 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces, oppose interference by external forces, and safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.'

Policy Directives and Military Warnings

The annual Taiwan Work Conference is a crucial event that sets the tone and policy direction for China's approach to Taiwan for the coming year. The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, underscoring the international dimension Beijing attaches to the Taiwan issue.

While the Xinhua report on Wang Huning's remarks did not explicitly mention the use of force, the Chinese Defense Ministry issued a more direct warning on the same day. Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin stated that if 'Taiwan independence' armed forces 'dare to provoke a conflict, they will inevitably be wiped out.' This aligns with China's long-held stance of never renouncing the use of military means to bring Taiwan under its control.

Taiwan's Response and International Context

Taiwan's government, through its Mainland Affairs Council, dismissed Wang Huning's remarks as 'usual talking points.' Taipei reiterated its position that 'China's ultimate goal is to eliminate the Republic of China and advance unification,' and maintained that only the people of Taiwan can decide their future. Public opinion in Taiwan largely favors maintaining the status quo and opposes Beijing's 'one country, two systems' proposal, which has been offered to Taiwan similar to the model applied to Hong Kong. Taiwan's leaders often cite Hong Kong's experience as evidence that this model erodes freedoms.

The latest statements follow recent high-level diplomatic exchanges, including a call last week between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump, where Xi reportedly emphasized Taiwan as the most important issue in China-U.S. relations. Additionally, President Xi Jinping had declared in a New Year's address on January 1, 2026, that the 'reunification' of China and Taiwan was 'unstoppable.'