Mainland China had strengthened its capacity to safeguard peace and security over the past year and would take more forceful action to oppose separatism and external interference this year, Song Tao, the head of Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said.

His message was published in the latest issue of the state-backed journal Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, according to a statement issued on Friday.

“We are willing to show the utmost sincerity and make the greatest efforts to strive for the bright prospect of peaceful reunification, but we will never leave any room for any form of ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities,” Song said.

Measures to safeguard peace and stability had been reinforced over the past year, Song wrote, pointing to a symposium held in Beijing in March to mark the 20th anniversary of the Anti-Secession Law and two large-scale exercises.

The recent PLA exercise, known as Justice Mission 2025, was conducted on a broader scale and closer to Taiwan than previous drills. Beijing described it as a warning to “independence forces” and against external interference.