Chinese President Xi Jinping renewed his call on Thursday, Nov. 12, for Taiwan’s “reunification” with China, saying it was inevitable and peaceful, while Taiwan rejected Beijing’s proposed “one country, two systems” arrangement.
Xi spoke at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People at an event marking the 160th anniversary of revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen’s birth. He called resolving the Taiwan question an enduring mission of the Chinese Communist Party. He said the historical trend toward reunification could not be stopped.
Beijing says it seeks peaceful unification and is willing to hold discussions. It says talks should be based on its “one-China” principle. Beijing’s proposed “one country, two systems” model would put Taiwan under Chinese sovereignty.
No major Taiwanese political party supports the plan. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council said the government and people would not accept the framework. The council said it would place the island under Communist Party rule.
Council spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh also called Xi’s words familiar. He said they were not substantially different from earlier statements. Xi did not mention using force in his speech.
Beijing has not ruled out using force to bring Taiwan under its control.