In his New Year’s address on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping asserted that no one can prevent China’s “reunification” with Taiwan, sending a direct message to those Beijing considers pro-independence elements both within Taiwan and abroad.
Over the past year, Beijing has significantly increased its military activities near Taiwan, with warships and aircraft entering the island’s surrounding waters and airspace nearly every day. Taiwanese officials view this as part of a broader campaign to “normalize” China’s military presence in the region.
China considers Taiwan, which operates as a democratic state, to be a part of its territory. However, Taiwan’s government strongly rejects these claims, stating that only the Taiwanese people have the right to determine their own future, and that Beijing should respect their decisions.
“The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. No one can sever our family bonds, and no one can stop the historical trend of national reunification,” Xi declared in his televised speech, broadcast on China’s state-run CCTV.
In his address last year, Xi made a similar statement, declaring that the “reunification” of China and Taiwan was inevitable, adding that people on both sides should be united by a common purpose and share in the success of China’s national revival.
Tensions in the Taiwan Strait have remained elevated throughout the year, particularly after the election of Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing considers a “separatist,” as Taiwan’s new president in May.
Earlier this month, China demonstrated its military strength by staging a significant show of naval power around Taiwan and in the East and South China Seas, following Lai’s visit to Hawaii and Guam, which Beijing condemned.
China, which has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, conducted two rounds of military exercises around the island this year. These drills were described as warnings against “separatist acts,” with China pledging further action if necessary.
The ongoing sale of U.S. arms to Taiwan, permitted under the Taiwan Relations Act, has also contributed to the growing strain between Beijing and Washington.
China has consistently cautioned the United States against any military engagement with Taiwan, imposing sanctions on both military suppliers and their executives in response.
{Matzav.com}
