China aims to strengthen control over Taiwan, opposing any move towards the island s independence, especially in this sensitive 75th anniversary year of communist China s founding. Taiwan, seen by China as its territory, recently elected a new president, Lai Ching-te, who Beijing considers a separatist. China s leadership emphasized the need to manage Taiwan-related issues carefully, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi attending a meeting on the matter. Taiwan maintains its independence and rejects China s claims.