Xi Jinping, China’s leader, has vowed that his country “will surely be reunified” during a televised New Year’s Eve address, just weeks ahead of key elections in Taiwan.
“All Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” Mr Xi said, noting that 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Mr Xi has vowed to “reunify” the two sides of the strait by 2049, the target date for achieving “the Chinese dream”. The PRC, which has never ruled Taiwan, views the democratic island nation as part of its territory and vows to annex it by force if necessary.
Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan’s president, responded to Mr Xi’s comments yesterday in what will be her final New Year’s Day address. She emphasised that Taiwan’s future would be democratically determined by its own people but also called for the resumption of cross-strait relations, expressing hope for “healthy and orderly exchanges” through “peace, equality, democracy and dialogue” as soon as possible.
“Facing global conflict between democracy and freedom and authoritarianism, Taiwan’s only choice in the future is to continue to uphold democracy and protect peace,” Ms Tsai said.