Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping has renewed China's determination to bring Taiwan under Beijing's control, describing reunification as an unavoidable historical mission that cannot be stopped. His remarks come amid growing international concern over China's military and maritime activities around the self governing island.
Xi made the statement on Thursday during a ceremony in Beijing marking the 160th birth anniversary of Chinese revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen. He reiterated China's commitment to achieving reunification and called for peaceful efforts to bring Taiwan under mainland Chinese rule.
The Chinese president also reaffirmed his support for the proposed one country, two systems framework, which Beijing presents as a model for bringing Taiwan under Chinese sovereignty while allowing it a degree of autonomy. However, Taiwan has repeatedly rejected the proposal, and its major political parties do not support the arrangement.
Xi called on Chinese people, including those living in Taiwan, to oppose what Beijing describes as separatist activities. He described resolving the Taiwan question as an unwavering historical mission of the Communist Party and said complete reunification must and would be achieved.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly stated that reunification is a national priority. Although Beijing says it prefers a peaceful solution, it has not renounced the use of force to achieve its objective.
Taiwan, meanwhile, rejects China's sovereignty claims and maintains that its future must be decided by its people. The island has its own democratically elected government, military, political institutions and economic system.
The statement comes as international concern continues to grow over China's activities around Taiwan. Following a meeting in Paris on November 9 and 10, foreign ministers from the Group of Seven countries issued a joint declaration on Wednesday expressing concern about China's increasingly assertive activities in waters east of Taiwan.
The G7 warned that these activities could threaten regional stability, freedom of navigation and the safety of international