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

Chinese President Xi Jinping declared on Thursday that the "tide of history cannot be stopped," emphasizing the inevitability of Taiwan’s reunification with China. Xi urged a peaceful resolution to the issue, refraining from mentioning military action, though Taiwan dismissed his remarks as incompatible with its own stance. China regards Taiwan as its own territory, despite Taipei's vehement rejection of this claim.

The Communist Party views the resolution of the Taiwan issue as a "historic mission." Xi's speech, delivered in Beijing's Great Hall of the People on the 160th birthday of revolutionary hero Sun Yat-sen, underscored China's commitment to "peaceful reunification" and its "one country, two systems" model of governance. However, Taipei's Mainland Affairs Council firmly rejected the "one country, two systems" proposal, stating that it would lead to submission to China's authoritarian rule.

Despite Xi not explicitly mentioning force, China's military presence around Taiwan remains strong and expanding. Taiwan's defense ministry reported detecting numerous Chinese military aircraft in the region. The upcoming APEC summit in China and Taiwan's local elections further highlight the heightened tensions surrounding the Taiwan question.