Taiwan is a part of China. This is the truth, because we say so. Not only must everyone acknowledge this truth, they must proclaim it as their own policy. So says your master. Of course, this message is not new.
Internal contradictions are never a challenge.
Experts may disagree on Beijing's ability to deliver on either side of this promise, but it remains Beijing's mode of operation. Beijing clearly had several targets in mind in determining the timing of its white paper release. But Beijing was aiming at much more than Taiwan's next president. This was a wake-up call to the Clinton administration to get busy with Beijing's work. The interesting aspect of the white paper's timing is was it reveals in terms of Beijing's ignorance of Taiwan and Washington politics.