Taipei, May 18 -- China's policy towards Taiwan has become increasingly confrontational, moving away from earlier rhetoric focused on peaceful engagement and towards a strategy centred on coercion, military intimidation, and political pressure, according to former American Institute in Taiwan director William Stanton, as reported by The Taipei Times.

According to The Taipei Times, speaking at a seminar in Taipei reviewing the Democratic Progressive Party's governance since 2016, Stanton said Beijing now appears far more determined to force political outcomes regarding Taiwan. He linked the shift to Chinese President Xi Jinping's broader ambitions tied to "national rejuvenation" and unification with Taiwan.

Stanton also discussed changin...