China pushes Taiwan union

(RT) ⸻ Beijing maintains that Taiwan is part of China's territory and will continue working towards reunification with the self-governed island through peaceful means. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has said that the government in Beijing remains committed to the "one China principle" and will take steps to oppose Taiwan's push for independence. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council responded to Li's comments with a short statement, insisting that the island was not subordinate to Beijing and urging China to "pragmatically handle cross-strait affairs with an attitude of rationality, equality and mutual respect". Tensions around Taiwan have been high since August, when US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei despite warnings from the Chinese authorities. Beijing responded to what it called a "serious provocation" by launching the largest ever military drills in the Taiwan Strait and slapping trade restrictions on the island. Chinese leader Xi Jinping said last year that Beijing would "continue to strive for peaceful reunification with Taiwan," but added that it would never promise to renounce the use of force.