Xi Jinping says Taiwan is 'an integral part of China's territory'
Chinese President Xi Jinping (Getty Images)
Chinese leader and Communist Party chairman Xi Jinping has reaffirmed his promise to seek “reunification” with democratic Taiwan, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.
“Taiwan is an integral part of China's territory,” he said.
He urged to “resolutely oppose separatist activities aimed at Taiwan independence."
At a solemn meeting in honor of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping emphasized in his speech his determination to achieve “the full reunification of the Motherland.”
“It is an irreversible trend, a matter of justice, and it is in accordance with the popular will. No one can stop the march of history,” he told three thousand people gathered at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
China's founding day is celebrated on October 1.
China and Taiwan
The ruling Communist Party of China considers Taiwan its territory, although it has never ruled it, and has vowed to unite with a self-governing democracy, even by force if necessary.
However, many of the island's inhabitants consider themselves native Taiwanese and do not want to become part of communist China.
Both sides have been governed by separate governments since 1949 after the end of the Chinese Civil War. The Communists seized power in Beijing and founded the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949, while the defeated Nationalists fled to Taiwan, moving the seat of the Republic of China from the mainland to Taipei.
Chinese leaders have promised to one day bring Taiwan under their control, but Xi Jinping, China's most assertive leader in decades, has stepped up his rhetoric and aggression against the democratic island, which has increased tensions on both sides of the strait and heightened fears of a military confrontation.
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te said that China considers the annexation and liquidation of Taiwan as its great national mission.
