Taipei: Experts are expressing concerns over China's potential strategic shift toward Taiwan following the omission of the word "peace" in a recent government work report. The report was delivered by China's Premier Li Qiang during the "Two Sessions," which include the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

According to Focus Taiwan, the Institute for National Policy Research (INPR) held a seminar in Taipei where cross-strait and defense experts discussed these developments. The experts observed that while the Taiwan-related content in the report largely mirrors previous ones, the omission of "peace" is significant. The report emphasized China's firm opposition to Taiwan's independence and external interference, suggesting an intensification of its policies.

INPR Director Wang Hung-jen highlighted that China is expected to adopt more "subtle" actions against Taiwan's independence in 2025. He noted that despite perceptions of reduced activity under Trump's administration, China has continued to undermine Taiwan's international participation. Wang cited reports suggesting China has garnered support from over 70 countries for a potential invasion of Taiwan and is using transnational crime groups to challenge Taiwan's diplomatic relations.

Ma Chun-wei, an assistant professor at Tamkang University, pointed out the unusual absence of "peace" in a report from the annual work conference on Taiwan affairs, held just before the "Two Sessions." This omission marks a rare departure from past CCP documents on Taiwan. Ma suggested that the timing of Taiwan's involvement in the Joint Exercise Cobra Gold might have influenced the language used in the report, reflecting internal CCP dynamics.

The discussion underscores the need for vigilance regarding China's evolving stance and the implications for cross-strait relations. The experts urged attention to the consistency of "peace" in China's official documents, as any shifts could signal increasing tensions between China and Taiwan.