China withdraws promise not to send troops to Taiwan if it takes control of island

Taiwan's government says only the island's people can decide their future. - Reuters

BEIJING (Reuters): China has withdrawn a promise not to send troops or administrators to Taiwan if it takes control of the island, an official document showed on Wednesday (Aug 10), signalling a decision by President Xi Jinping to grant less autonomy than previously offered.

China's white paper on its position on self-ruled Taiwan follows days of unprecedented Chinese military exercises near the island, which Beijing claims as its territory, in protest against US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit last week.