There was no immediate response from the Clinton administration on China's latest position. The United States military continues to monitor China's show of strength. China's assertion of its right to use force against Taiwan does not necessarily contradict what Chinese diplomats have told U.S. officials regarding the current exercises. Peaceful reunification and 'one country, two systems,' is our basic policy toward Taiwan. But in the circumstance of Taiwan's independence or its invasion by foreign forces, China will certainly take all necessary measures to protect the motherland's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
China considers Taiwan a renegade province, to be recaptured by force if necessary.
It accuses Taiwan President Lee Teng- hui, expected to win next week's elections, of discarding the goal of reunification. Lee has denied that he wants Taiwan to be independent but has been seeking a more high-profile role for Taiwan in the international community. Lee is a member of the Nationalist Party, which fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war to the Communists on the mainland. A Taiwan official told China Saturday to cease military maneuvers at once. This kind of military intimidation is going to hamper the development of relations.