Xi Jinping calls for Taiwan's 'peaceful reunification' with China: Taipei responds
Photo: Chinese President Xi Jinping (Getty Images)
China and Taiwan could achieve peaceful "reunification" – Beijing is ready to begin official talks on the matter, Chinese President Xi Jinping made the statement, Reuters reports.
The Chinese leader went on to say that resolving the Taiwan issue remains an "unwavering historical mission" of the Communist Party of China.
He said Beijing would continue to pursue "peaceful reunification" and the implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle.
Xi Jinping also publicly expressed his readiness to hold talks with Taiwan, provided that the "one-China principle" is upheld.
Importantly, Beijing's position implies that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one country.
"The tide of history cannot be stopped. The complete reunification of the motherland must be realised, and it will certainly be realised," Xi stressed.
Xi also called on all Chinese people, including residents of Taiwan, to unite against "separatist" forces advocating the island's independence. He also emphasized the need to work together toward the peaceful development of relations.
At the same time, the Taiwanese authorities rejected Beijing's position. The Mainland Affairs Council stressed that neither the island's government nor its population accepts the "one country, two systems" concept, as it could mean subordination to the authoritarian regime of the Communist Party of China.
"As for the wording on Taiwan unification, it isn't much different from the past," the council's spokesperson, Liang Wen-chieh, told reporters.
Earlier, Western media reported that China was delaying an invasion of Taiwan for several reasons.
It was also reported that China had unexpectedly amended its mobilization law for the first time in 16 years.
