Chinese President Xi Jinping has reasserted that China’s reunification with the island of Taiwan is inevitable. His statement comes days before Taiwan heads for presidential polls, the outcome of which will be instrumental in the island’s cross-strait policy for the next four years.
In his message for the New Year, the President, in a more strident tone compared to the last year, said: “The reunification of the motherland is a historical inevitability,” Xi said. “Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” he added.
China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out using military force to reunite the island with the mainland. However, Taiwan claims to be a sovereign and democratic nation with its constitution.
Though China has been ramping up military pressure to assert its claim over Taiwan, Xi made no mention of military threats in his speech.
In his 2023 speech, Xi said people on either side of the strait are “members of one and the same family” and called for a joint effort to foster lasting prosperity of the Chinese nation”.
However, Taiwan reacted to Xi’s statement saying that Taiwan’s relations with China must be decided by the will of the people and peace must be based on “dignity”.
Asked about Xi’s speech, President Tsai Ing-wen, at a New Year’s press meet at the presidential office in Taipei, said the most important principle on what course to follow in relations with China was democracy. “This is taking the joint will of Taiwan’s people to make a decision. After all, we are a democratic country,” she said.
“China should respect the outcome of Taiwan’s election and it is the responsibility of both sides to maintain peace and stability in the strait,” Tsai added.
Economic challenges
In a rare admission, Xi also acknowledged that China’s economy was in danger. China’s businesses are struggling and job seekers have trouble finding work, President Xi Jinping said during his Sunday New Year’s Eve speech.
“Some enterprises had a tough time. Some people had difficulty finding jobs and meeting basic needs,” Xi said. “All these remain at the forefront of my mind. We will consolidate and strengthen the momentum of economic recovery,” he said.
