Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that "the tide of history cannot be stopped" as he urged peaceful "reunification" with Taiwan. He spoke at Beijing's Great Hall of the People. Xi called resolving the Taiwan question an "unwavering historical mission" of China's Communist Party. "The complete reunification of the motherland must be realised, and it will certainly be realised," he said.
The speech marked the 160th birthday of revolutionary hero Sun Yat-sen. Sun helped lead a 1911 revolt that ended imperial rule and ushered in the Republic of China. Xi said China adheres to "peaceful reunification and the policy of 'one country, two systems'". He said Beijing is willing to talk to Taiwan while upholding the "one-China principle". He also called on all Chinese, including people in Taiwan, to oppose "separatist" independence forces.
Xi made no mention of force. China has never renounced its use against Taiwan. Its military operates around the island every day, Daily Maverick and Al Jazeera reported. Taiwan's defence ministry said it detected 29 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighter jets and drones, on a "joint combat readiness patrol" with Chinese warships starting on Thursday.
Taipei was quick to reject the offer. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said neither the government nor the people could accept "one country, two systems". The council said the model would ultimately mean submitting to Communist Party rule. Council spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh told reporters that Xi's wording on unification "isn't much different from the past".
China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, a claim Taipei strongly rejects. No major Taiwanese party supports Beijing's autonomy model. Beijing calls President Lai Ching-te a "separatist" and refuses to speak with him. Lai says only Taiwan's people can decide their future. Last month, Taiwan told its people to stay away from Chinese events marking Sun's anniversary. It said Beijing has a distorted view of his legacy. In Taiwan, Sun is officially the "father of the nation".
The United States also figures in the dispute. According to Al Jazeera, Xi made a state visit to Washington in September and told US President Donald Trump to show "prudence" over Taiwan. In May, Washington paused a $14 billion weapons purchase by Taiwan. Trump called it a "very good negotiating chip" in dealings with China. The remark raised fears that Taiwan's security could be traded away.
Xi is due to meet Trump again next week at the APEC summit in Shenzhen. Taiwan holds important local elections in a little more than two weeks.