President of China Xi Jinping stunned the world amid escalating tension with Taiwan by making it clear that China wants peaceful reunification of Taiwan.
Chinese President Xi Jinping today promised to realise peaceful reunification with Taiwan, though did not directly mention the use of force after a week of tensions with the Chinese-claimed island that sparked international concern.
Democratically ruled Taiwan has come under increased military and political pressure from Beijing to accept its sovereignty, but Taipei has pledged to defend its freedom and that only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.
Speaking at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, Xi said the Chinese people have a “glorious tradition” of opposing separatism. China is marking the 110th anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution of 1911.
“Taiwan independence separatism is the biggest obstacle to achieving the reunification of the motherland, and the most serious hidden danger to national rejuvenation,” he said on the anniversary of the revolution that overthrew the last imperial dynasty in 1911.
“The complete reunification of our country will be and can be realised,” he was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.
Peaceful “reunification” best meets the overall interests of the Taiwanese people, but China will protect its sovereignty and unity, he added.”No one should underestimate the Chinese people’s staunch determination, firm will, and strong ability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Xi said.
He struck a slightly softer tone than in July, his last major speech mentioning Taiwan, in which he vowed to “smash” any attempts at formal independence. In 2019, he directly threatened to use force to bring the island under Beijing’s control.
In response to Xi’s statement, Taiwan’s presidential office said on Saturday that the future of the island rests in the hands of its people and that mainstream public opinion is very clear in rejecting China’s “one country, two systems” model.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council in a separate statement called on China to abandon its “provocative steps of intrusion, harassment and destruction”.
