China's Xi Jinping renews calls for 'reunification' with Taiwan

Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his calls for unification with Taiwan, but avoided mentioning the use of force. Speaking on the occasion of Sun Yat-sen's 160th birthday, Xi stated that the historical trends cannot be halted and that complete reunification of the "motherland" is inevitable. The Taiwanese government dismissed his remarks, asserting that Taiwan would not accept submission to China's Communist Party.

The Republic of China (ROC) established in 1912 and the subsequent Chinese Civil War between Nationalists and Communists led to Communist Party's victory in 1949, with the Nationalists fleeing to Taiwan. Both the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the ROC claim to be the legitimate inheritors of Sun Yat-sen's political legacy.

Xi reiterated that the Communist Party has an unwavering historical mission to unify China and vowed to consider Taiwan's circumstances while addressing the concerns of Taiwanese people. The Chinese leader did not explicitly mention military force but has previously hinted at Beijing's willingness to employ force if necessary. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council firmly rejected the idea of being governed by Beijing, emphasizing that neither the government nor the people of Taiwan would accept such a situation.

The speech by Xi came during an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, where he is expected to meet US President Donald Trump. The US has historically supported Taiwan's resistance against Chinese demands and has provided the island with substantial arms support. China has ramped up its military activities around Taiwan and the Taiwan Strait, seen as both intimidation tactics and potential preparations for a future military operation.

Taiwan reported that Chinese fighter jets and drones had begun conducting a joint combat readiness patrol alongside Chinese warships near the island.