Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday, November 12, that Taiwan’s reunification with China could not be stopped and pledged to pursue it peacefully, without mentioning the use of force.
Xi spoke in Beijing at an event marking the 160th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen’s birth. He described resolving what Beijing calls the Taiwan question as a historic mission of the Communist Party. Xi said the course of history could not be reversed.
He said complete reunification would be achieved. Xi said Beijing was willing to talk with Taiwan based on its “one-China” principle. That principle treats both sides of the Taiwan Strait as part of one country.
Taiwan is self-governed and rejects Beijing’s claim to its territory. No major Taiwanese political party supports Beijing’s proposed “one country, two systems” arrangement. Xi emphasized a peaceful path.
China has not renounced the use of force. China’s military operates around Taiwan regularly. Taiwan’s government had not immediately responded to Xi’s remarks, according to Reuters.