China downgrades Taiwan rhetoric as U.S., Canada cross Strait

China has softened its rhetoric on Taiwan, saying the self-governing island is inevitably under its control, but it will promote peaceful efforts to achieve it.

U.S. President Joe Biden’s recent comments that the U.S. will defend Taiwan if China were to invade came a day after U.S. and Canadian warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait.

On the eve of a major meeting of the ruling Communist Party next month, the response does not appear to signify a change in policy but a broader attempt to calm the situation on multiple fronts.

Asked about growing concerns that China might resort to force, Taiwanese government spokesman Ma Xiaoguang said: “I want to reiterate … that we are willing to fight for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and the greatest efforts.”

China fired missiles into the waters surrounding Taiwan during a major military exercise last month in response to a visit by U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Mr Ma did not use the word “force” as he used to in the past when he spoke at a news conference on the Taiwan issue. Instead, he said China would take “resolute measures” against any provocation by Taiwan or its international backers.

He said that China will introduce more policies to help Taiwan, highlight the benefits of integration with China, and encourage people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

“The motherland must be unified, and it will be unified,” Ma said. This is a “historical trend that no one can stop.”

For the second time in recent weeks, China’s Defense Ministry noticed a U.S. warship sailing through the Taiwan Strait, but did not call it provocative as it did earlier this year.

The spokesman, Colonel Shi Yi, said in a statement that Chinese troops monitored the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins and the Canadian frigate USS Vancouver.

He added that the military will resolutely defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The U.S. Navy said in a statement that Tuesday’s joint exercise “demonstrates the commitment of the United States and its allies and partners to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”