Blinken: China is accelerating plans to join Taiwan

China is planning to join Taiwan “in a much faster timeline” than previously expected, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Beijing had decided that the status quo was no longer acceptable, he said.

In Sunday's speech at the opening of the Communist Party Congress in Beijing, President Xi Yinging refused to rule by using force to join Taiwan.

China sees its self - ruled island as part of its territory, but Taiwan finds itself unique from the continent.

Blinken said that if Beijing could not achieve unity by peaceful means, he would use tribulation and perhaps strength.

Last month US President Joe Biden said US forces would protect Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack, despite US official policy of confusion over the issue.