New Delhi: Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed on Saturday to realize peaceful “reunification” with Taiwan, without directly mentioning the use of force.
It comes after a week of tensions with democratically-ruled Taiwan, which sparked international concern, news agency Reuters reported.
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There has been increased military and political pressure from Beijing to accept its sovereignty over Taiwan, but the capital Taipei has pledged to defend its independence, stating that only the people of Taiwan can decide its future. .
President Xi Jinping was speaking at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People when he said the Chinese people have a “splendid tradition” of resisting separatism.
“Taiwan independence separatism is the biggest obstacle to achieving homeland reunification, and the most serious hidden threat to national rejuvenation,” he said, as quoted by Reuters.
Peaceful “reunification” serves the overall interests of the people of Taiwan, but China will defend its sovereignty and unity, he added in his address on the anniversary of the revolution, which overthrew the last imperial dynasty in 1911.
“No one should underestimate the determination, strong will and strong ability of the Chinese people to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity … The historic task of complete unification of the homeland must be accomplished, and certainly completed. Will be done,” Reuters quoted Xi as saying.
Reportedly, the Chinese president’s tone in this address was slightly softer than his last keynote speech in July referring to Taiwan, in which he had committed to “smash” any attempts at formal independence.
He also directly threatened to use force to bring the Chinese-claimed island under Beijing’s control in 2019.
Tensions escalated as China’s air force infiltrated Taiwan’s air defense detection area for four consecutive days from October 1. About 150 aircraft were involved in the flights.
Taiwan maintains that it is an independent country whose formal name is the Republic of China. The Republic of China was established in 1912 and its government fled to Taiwan in 1949, after losing a civil war with the Communists. This event created the People’s Republic of China.
Speaking shortly before the Chinese president, Taiwanese Premier Su Tseng-chang said China was “flexing its muscles” and creating regional tensions, Reuters reported.
The report quoted Su Tseng-chang as saying, “This is why countries that believe in freedom, democracy and human rights, and are based on shared values, are all working together and repeatedly warning Granted that China should not attack Taiwan.”
Taiwan celebrates 10 October as its National Day, the day the anti-imperialist revolution began in China in 1911. On this occasion, President Tsai Ing-wen will deliver the keynote address in Taipei.
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