China-Taiwan Conflict: President Xi Jinping Vows To Fulfill ‘Complete Reunification Of Motherland’
China-Taiwan Conflict: The tensions rose as China’s air force mounted four straight days of incursions into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone from October 1.
New Delhi: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday vowed to realise peaceful “reunification” with Taiwan, without directly mentioning the use of force.
This comes after a week of tensions with the democratically ruled Taiwan that sparked international concern, news agency Reuters reported.
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Taiwan has been under increased military and political pressure from Beijing to accept its sovereignty, but the capital Taipei has pledged to defend its freedom, stating that only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.
President Xi Jinping was speaking at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People when he said that 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, as quoted by Reuters.
Peaceful “reunification” best meets the overall interests of the Taiwanese people, but China will protect its sovereignty and unity, he added in his address on the anniversary of the revolution that overthrew the last imperial dynasty in 1911.
“No one should underestimate the Chinese people’s staunch determination, firm will, and strong ability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity… The historical task of the complete reunification of the motherland must be fulfilled, and will definitely be fulfilled,” Reuters quoted Xi as saying.
According to the report, the Chinese president’s tone in this address was slightly softer as compared to his last major speech in July mentioning Taiwan, in which he committed to “smash” any attempts at formal independence.
He had also directly threatened to use force in 2019 to bring the China-claimed island under Beijing's control.
The tensions rose as China’s air force mounted four straight days of incursions into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone from October 1. The flights involved close to 150 aircraft.
Taiwan maintains that it is an independent country with its formal name being the Republic of China. The Republic of China was established in 1912 and after losing a civil war with the Communists, its government fled to Taiwan in 1949. The event created the People’s Republic of China.
Speaking shortly before the Chinese President, Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang stated that China had been “flexing its muscles” and causing regional tensions, Reuters reported.
“This is why countries that believe in freedom, democracy, and human rights, and based on shared values, are all working together and have repeatedly warned that China should not invade Taiwan,” the report quoted Su Tseng-chang saying.
Taiwan observes October 10, the day when the anti-imperial revolution began in China in 1911, as its national day. On this occasion, President Tsai Ing-wen will give a keynote address in Taipei.
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