Xi Vows ‘Reunification’ with Taiwan on Eve of Communist China’s 75th Birthday
Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his commitment to achieving ‘reunification’ with Taiwan on the eve of Communist China’s 75th birthday, coinciding with Beijing’s display of military strength leading up to the national celebration. During a state banquet held on Monday to commemorate the founding of the People’s Republic, Xi emphasized his determination to realize the ‘complete reunification of the motherland.’ He declared, “This is an irreversible trend, a matter of righteousness and a collective aspiration of the populace. No one can obstruct the progression of history,” addressing the audience of thousands gathered in Beijing as reported by the state-run Xinhua news agency.
The Communist Party of China asserts that Taiwan is part of its territory, despite never having governed it, and has pledged to “reify” the self-governing democracy, even if it requires military action. However, many residents of Taiwan identify as distinctly Taiwanese and are opposed to being incorporated into Communist China.
Since 1949, following the conclusion of the Chinese civil war, the two regions have been governed by separate administrations. The communists established control in Beijing, founding the People’s Republic of China, while the defeated nationalists retreated to Taiwan, relocating the Republic of China’s seat from the mainland to Taipei.
Past leaders of China have promised to eventually gain control over Taiwan, but Xi, the most assertive leader in decades, has escalated rhetoric and aggressive posturing toward the democratic island, heightening tensions across the Taiwan Strait and raising fears of a potential military clash.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry indicated that it was on high alert after detecting ‘multiple waves’ of missile launches deep within China. The missiles were reportedly fired by the People’s Army’s Force from inland areas, including Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Qinghai, and Xinjiang, according to a ministry statement. Taiwan’s air defense forces have maintained a heightened state of vigilance and reinforced their alert status.
The Taiwan issue has emerged as a significant point of friction between China and the US, which upholds close yet informal ties with Taipei and is legally obligated to provide the island with defensive arms. On Sunday, US President Joe Biden authorized an additional $567 million in military assistance for Taiwan, constituting the largest aid package the US has extended to the island. The funding will support defense resources as well as ‘military education and training’.
