China’s Xi says Taiwan ‘reunification’ must happen as history cannot be stopped

Chinese President Xi Jinping declared on Thursday that the historical reunification of Taiwan with mainland China is inevitable, urging peaceful means to achieve the goal. He made no reference to employing force, but Taipei responded firmly to the claim. China perceives Taiwan as an integral part of its territory, despite Taipei's rejection of this assertion.

The Communist Party has persistently proposed a "one country, two systems" model for autonomy, which no significant Taiwanese political party supports. Xi stated that resolving the Taiwan issue is an "unwavering historical mission" of China's Communist Party during a speech in Beijing's Great Hall of the People.

The tide of history cannot be halted, Xi added, emphasizing that complete reunification of the motherland must be realized and will undoubtedly occur. Taiwan's government dismissed his remarks, stating that neither the government nor the Taiwanese people could accept a "one country, two systems" model, which would ultimately mean submitting to the Communist Party's authoritarian rule.

Mainland Affairs Council spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh told reporters that Taiwan's stance remains unchanged. Xi's comments were made in a speech marking the 160th birthday of revolutionary hero Sun Yat-sen, who helped lead the 1911 revolt that ended imperial rule and established the Republic of China.

Xi reiterated China's commitment to peaceful reunification and the one-China principle, urging all Chinese, including those in Taiwan, to unite against Taiwan independence separatist forces and strive for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. Despite not mentioning force, China's military remains active near Taiwan, conducting joint combat readiness patrols with warships.

Taiwan's defense ministry detected 29 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighter jets and drones, conducting a joint combat readiness patrol around the island. Xi's speech comes a week before the APEC summit in Shenzhen, where he is set to meet US President Donald Trump, and just over two weeks before Taiwan's local elections.

Taiwan has urged its citizens to stay away from China's events marking the Sun Yat-sen anniversary, alleging Beijing's distorted view of the revolutionary leader and his legacy. In Taiwan, Sun is revered as the "father of the nation," but his political philosophy is no longer required in school curriculums. Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te and his Democratic Progressive Party advocate for Taiwan's distinct identity from China, growing increasingly defiant towards Beijing over the issue of the Republic of China's role in World War Two.