China's Premier Li Keqiang delivers his farewell government work report this morning at the NPC.
Li reveals China's priorities through the way he orders Beijing's Taiwan policy objectives. /1
news.cn/politics/2023l…
Li reveals China's priorities through the way he orders Beijing's Taiwan policy objectives. /1
news.cn/politics/2023l…
If Li's speech is any guide, for 2023, Beijing is shooting for incremental progress, rather than quick results, on Taiwan.
Taiwan portion of the speech is pretty short. 134 words. /2
Taiwan portion of the speech is pretty short. 134 words. /2
"我們要堅持貫徹新時代黨解決台灣問題的總體方略，堅持一個中國原則和「九二共識」，堅定反「獨」促統，推動兩岸關係和平發展，推進祖國和平統一處理程序。兩岸同胞血脈相連，要促進兩岸經濟文化交流合作，完善增進台灣同胞福祉的制度和政策，推動兩岸共同弘揚中華文化，同心共創復興偉業。" /3
Li still lists 'oppose Taiwan independence' ahead of 'promote unification' (反獨, then 促統). Which suggests China is largely playing defense on Taiwan during Taiwan's presidential campaign year. /4
Similarly Li lists cross-strait relations' 'peaceful #development' ahead of '#unification', which suggests Beijing's desire to maintain stability on the Taiwan front as it tackles other more pressing priorities like great power relations and domestic economic recovery. /5
How to develop cross-strait relations then? Li then proceeds to paint the stages of cross-strait relations', and it's a bit boiler plate: /6
1. Promote economic & cultural cooperation (for Taiwanese in Taiwan)
2. Better institutions & policy incentives to promote welfare for Taiwanese (more for Taiwanese living in China)
3. Promote shared Chinese culture (soft power)
4. Jointly promote China's Great Rejuvenation. /7
2. Better institutions & policy incentives to promote welfare for Taiwanese (more for Taiwanese living in China)
3. Promote shared Chinese culture (soft power)
4. Jointly promote China's Great Rejuvenation. /7
Outgoing Premier Li Keqiang's farewell speech is not designed to break new grounds. On Taiwan, he sounds a softer tone, and merely reaffirms existing principles, e.g. 'upholding One China Principle and the 1992 Consensus' - the language in Xi's 2017 19th Party Congress address./8
We see similar light touch if not strategic 'left blank' (留白) on March 4th, in outgoing #4 leader and Taiwan policy chief Wang Yang's farewell work report to CPPCC -- when he made no mention at all about Taiwan policy guiding principles. /9
Outgoing officials like Li & Wang have the option of pulling a Nancy Pelosi and made a tougher farewell move just before they retire, and give their successors more room to maneuver. But Beijing is refraining from that, preferring to not risk any more Taiwanese blowback. /11
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