Xi Jinping says Taiwan’s reunification with China is inevitable
Chinese President Xi Jinping has declared that Taiwan’s reunification with China is an “unwavering historical mission” of the Communist Party, insisting that the “tide of history cannot be stopped” and that the motherland’s complete reunification “will certainly be realised.” Speaking at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, Xi called for a peaceful settlement and reaffirmed the “one country, two systems” framework, which Beijing presents as a model allowing Taiwan autonomy while remaining part of China.
Taiwan’s government rejected the proposal, saying neither its authorities nor its people could accept a system that would ultimately place the island under Communist Party rule. Mainland Affairs Council spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh said Xi’s language differed little from previous statements. Xi also urged people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to oppose what China calls Taiwan independence “separatist” forces and endorsed dialogue based on Beijing’s “one China principle.”
Although Xi did not explicitly threaten military action, China has never renounced force and maintains a daily military presence around Taiwan. Taiwan’s defence ministry reported that 29 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighter jets and drones, conducted a joint combat readiness patrol around the island alongside Chinese warships. Xi’s remarks came ahead of an APEC summit in Shenzhen, where he is due to meet US President Donald Trump, and less than three weeks before Taiwan’s local elections. The comments also follow Washington’s pause in May of a $14bn weapons purchase for Taiwan, a decision Trump described as a negotiating chip in dealings with China.
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