Despite recent tensions, Chinese politicians are arriving in Taiwan for a rare forum. Days after major maritime exercises, the visit raises questions about the complex relationship between China and Taiwan. What agreements will be signed during this event organized by the pro-Beijing party? The details of…
In a context of persistent tensions between China and Taiwan, a delegation of Chinese politicians made a notable arrival on Monday on the island that Beijing considers an integral part of its territory. This rare visit comes just days after China held one of the largest maritime military exercises in recent years in the region.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the Chinese delegation, made up of around 90 people and led by Li Xiaodong, deputy head of the Shanghai Taiwan Affairs Office, as well as Hua Yuan, vice mayor of Shanghai, will participate in an annual forum on Tuesday organized by the city of Taipei, led by the Kuomintang, a party known for its favorable positions in Beijing.
Two agreements expected despite a tense context
Despite the complex relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, the Taipei Mayor’s Office announced that two agreements should be signed during this meeting, one relating to the field of health and the other concerning an exchange red pandas. The Chinese delegation would have agreed to remain “discreet” throughout its stay, according to the Mainland Affairs Council, Taiwan’s main body responsible for policy towards mainland China.
Imposing maritime exercises just before the visit
This visit comes in a particularly tense context, with Beijing having just ended maritime exercises on a scale not seen in years on Thursday. Involving some 90 Chinese warships and coast guards, as well as aircraft, the maneuvers included simulated attacks on ships and exercises aimed at blocking strategic sea routes around Taiwan.
Taiwanese president’s tour a source of friction
These shows of force follow the recent tour of the Pacific by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, which sparked strong protests from Beijing. China then urged the United States to “stop sending the wrong signals” to “Taiwanese independence forces”, warning Taiwan against any attempt to “aim for independence with the help of the Americans”, asserting that this would “necessarily be a failure”.
High-level communications broken down since 2016
Relations between Beijing and Taipei have deteriorated considerably since 2016, the year former President Tsai Ing-wen, from the Democratic Progressive Party which rejects China’s claims to sovereignty over Taiwan, took office. Beijing then cut off high-level communications with the island, increasing diplomatic and military pressure.
Questions about the real scope of this visit
If the holding of this forum and the visit of this important Chinese delegation to Taiwan undeniably constitute a rare event in the current context, many observers question the real scope of these exchanges. While Beijing continues to reaffirm its desire to reunify Taiwan, even by force if necessary, and tensions in the strait regularly reach worrying levels, it remains to be seen whether this meeting will help calm relations between the two shores. or if it will remain only an epiphenomenon in a sea of hostility.
One thing is certain, developments around Taiwan will continue to be the subject of global attention, as the island has become a major sticking point in the already difficult relations between China and Western powers, United States in mind. In this context, every gesture, every statement will be scrutinized and interpreted, in the hope of detecting signs of appeasement or, on the contrary, reasons for concern for the stability of the entire Asia-Pacific region.
