Xi declares Taiwan reunification inevitable at Sun Yat-sen anniversary
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on 12 Nov that Taiwan's complete reunification with China is inevitable and will be achieved, framing it as an unwavering historical mission of the Communist Party. He delivered the remarks at a ceremony marking the 160th birthday of Sun Yat-sen in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, emphasizing peaceful reunification under a one‑country, two‑systems model. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council rejected the proposal, stating that neither the government nor the people accept such a framework. The same day, Taiwan's defence ministry reported detecting 29 Chinese military aircraft, including J‑16 fighters and drones, conducting a joint combat‑readiness patrol around the island.
Key facts
- Xi's speech linked reunification to an unstoppable tide of history.
- China has repeatedly offered a one‑country, two‑systems model, which no major Taiwanese party supports.
- The Chinese military conducts daily operations around Taiwan, extending its reach in the Pacific.
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Why it matters
The statements heighten cross‑strait tensions amid increased Chinese military activity.
What changed
First published from The Times of India, CNA, The Hindu, Al Jazeera English and Daily Maverick