China has once again sent a clear message on one of the most sensitive issues in . The Chinese Prime Minister, Li Qiang, This Thursday he reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to the principle of “one China” and assured that the Government will combat the forces that promote the island’s independence.
The message came during the opening of the annual session of the National People’s Assembly (ANP), presenting the annual work report of the Executive.
In his speech, the Chinese leader stressed that the country will continue to advance in “national reunification” and will apply the strategy of the Communist Party to resolve the Taiwan question in the so-called “new era”.
According to the document presented to the Legislature, Beijing will continue to act under the principle of and the so-called 1992 Consensus, while opposing what he described as “interference by external forces.”
The Chinese government maintains that Taiwan It is an “inalienable part” of its territory, although the island has been governed autonomously since 1949 and its authorities maintain that its future can only be decided for its 23 million inhabitants.
The Taiwanese issue continues to be one of the main sources of friction in the Asia-Pacific. Beijing recently accused the Taiwanese president, William Lai, of being an “instigator of war” after warning of the regional impact that eventual Chinese control of the island would have.
Despite this, several analysts consider military action unlikely in the short term and maintain that China maintains the so-called “peaceful reunification” as a priority.
More military spending and modernization of the Army
The speech on Taiwan coincided with the announcement of a new increase in Chinese military spending. China will raise its Defense budget by 7% in 2026, to 1.91 trillion yuan (about 277,000 million dollars), thus prolonging a trend of sustained increases in recent years.
The government report also highlights the need to maintain the Communist Party’s absolute control over the People’s Liberation Army, at a time when the Armed Forces are going through an intense anti-corruption campaign.
In recent months, several senior military leaders have been dismissed or investigated, including former defense ministers and those responsible for the strategic Missile Force.
Even the former vice president of the Central Military Commission, Zhang Youxiaone of the most influential figures in the military apparatus, was removed from office in January.
A “world class” army
Despite these internal convulsions, Beijing continues to promote an ambitious process of military modernization.
One of the most recent examples is the entry into service of the Fujian aircraft carrierthe third in the Chinese fleet and the first equipped with electromagnetic catapults, a technology that until now was only used by the United States.
The ship is part of China’s strategic objective of having six operational aircraft carriers by 2035, within the plan promoted by President Xi Jinping to turn the country into a military power capable of “fighting and winning wars.”
Modernization also includes large-scale military maneuvers around Taiwanwith naval blockade drills, live-fire exercises and air and naval deployments in different directions of the strait.
A message in full global tension
The announcement of the increase in military spending also comes in a particularly tense international context.
China has recently condemned the attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran and has accused Washington of “violating the sovereignty” of the Persian country.
Beijing, one of the main trading partners of Tehran and a large importer of its oil, has warned of the risk that the conflict poses for regional stability and global energy security, while insisting on the need to return to diplomatic channels.
In this scenario of growing geopolitical uncertainty, China reinforces its message: keep the pressure on Taiwan while consolidating an increasingly modern and powerful Army.
