Beijing warns of war over Taiwan ruling party’s move to rebrand cross-strait relations law

Beijing has warned that a proposal by Taiwanese lawmakers to amend legislation is a move aimed at “de jure independence” for the island, heightening the risk of war.

“This proposal disregards the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan … publicly challenges the historical and legal fact that Taiwan is part of China, and blatantly promotes ‘de jure Taiwan independence’,” Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Chen Binhua said on Sunday.

“Taiwan independence means war. We have full confidence and sufficient capability to crush any form of ‘de jure Taiwan independence’ plot,” he added.

Chen was referring to a proposal by legislators from the island’s ruling independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to amend a cross-strait people relations law.

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In a social media post on Saturday, legislator Lin I-chin said the name of the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area should be changed to “Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Relations Act”.

South China Morning Post