NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 21: Vice President of the People's Republic of China Han Zheng speaks during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at United Nations headquarters on September 21, 2023 in New York City. World heads of state and representatives of government are attending amidst multiple global crises such as Russia's illegal war against Ukraine, and the climate emergency. Kena Betancur/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/ GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/ Getty Images via AFP)
UNITED NATIONS (AFP): China warned Thursday (Sept 21) at the United Nations not to underestimate its "strong will" on Taiwan, while saying Beijing preferred peaceful means to take the self-governing democracy.
Addressing the General Assembly, Vice President Han Zheng repeated Beijing's stance that Taiwan -- around which the communist mainland has staged repeated military exercises -- constitutes an "inalienable part" of China.
"No one should ever underestimate the firm resolve, strong will and the power of the Chinese people to safeguard their sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.
"Realising China's complete reunification is a shared aspiration of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation," he said.
"We will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and the utmost effort."
Nearly all countries recognise Beijing rather than Taipei but the United States has a strong unofficial relationship with Taiwan, to which it provides weapons to ensure its self-defense.
Some US officials have voiced concern that China is stepping up preparations to seize the island by force, especially if Taiwan makes moves to declare its independence formally.
Experts say that China has been reviewing lessons from Ukraine, which Russia has failed to seize a year and a half after invading.
China is allied with Russia but has stopped short of providing large amounts of military support to Moscow.
Han said that China wanted a "cessation of hostilities and resumption of peace talks" on Ukraine.
"China supports all efforts that are conducive to the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis, and stands ready to continue playing a constructive role for the early attainment of peace," he said.
Han earlier in the week met on the sidelines of the General Assembly with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the latest effort by the two powers to manage their wide-ranging tensions.
