Senior Chinese official calls for ‘resolutely’ cracking down on ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists

A ‍senior Chinese ​official called for “resolutely” cracking ‌down ​on “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and opposing interference by external forces this year ​to safeguard peace ⁠and stability in the Taiwan ​Strait, state ⁠agency Xinhua reported Tuesday (February 10, 2026).

The ruling communist party’s ‌fourth-ranked leader, ‌Wang Huning, made the ‍remarks at the 2026 ‍work conference on Taiwan affairs held in Beijing on Monday and Tuesday, ⁠Xinhua reported.

China views the ​democratically governed Taiwan ⁠as its own territory.

In October 2025, China said it “absolutely will not” rule out using force over Taiwan, striking a much tougher tone than a series of articles in state media that pledged benign rule if the island comes over to Beijing.

Taiwan held its first direct presidential election in 1996 and democracy on the island is a noisy and vibrant affair where candidates are free to espouse any point of view, including being pro-independence or pro-Beijing.

China’s government refuses to talk to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, saying he is a “separatist”.