BEIJING (Dispatches) – Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed on Saturday to realiZe peaceful “reunification” with Taiwan.
Speaking at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, Xi said the Chinese people have a “glorious tradition” of opposing separatism.
“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.
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. “The historical task of the complete reunification of the motherland must be fulfilled, and will definitely be fulfilled.”
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 said he would bring the island under Beijing’s control.
China considers Taiwan as a breakaway province, while the authorities in Taipei have repeatedly rejected Beijing’s proposal to stick to the “one country, two systems” principle.
Xi did not name any country directly when he warned of foreign interference in “the Taiwan issue”, which the president said was “entirely China’s internal affair”.
“No one should underestimate the Chinese people’s determination and strong ability to defend [our] national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The historical task of the complete reunification of the motherland must be fulfilled, and it will definitely be fulfilled”, Xi emphasized.
Taiwan marks Oct. 10, when the anti-imperial revolution began in China, as its national day.
China commemorates the revolution by harking back to republican leader Sun Yat-sen’s calls for patriotism, national rejuvenation and good governance.
Xi used the speech to underscore the need for “a strong force to lead the country, and this strong force is the Chinese Communist Party”.
“Without the Chinese Communist Party, there would not be a New China, and therefore no rejuvenation of the Chinese people,” he said.