In his speech commemorating the 130th anniversary of Mao Zedong’s birth, Chinese President Xi Jinping restated China’s determination to unify Taiwan with mainland China in the future. Speaking at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi expressed confidence that the unification “will surely” happen and emphasized that it is an overall trend, a righteous cause, and the common aspiration of the people. He firmly opposed anyone using any means to separate Taiwan from China.
Xi’s remarks were made less than a month before Taiwanese voters are set to elect the island’s next president. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its presidential candidate, Vice President Lai Ching-te, have been described by China as supporters of independence. Lai, who is leading in the polls, has affirmed that he has no plans to change the island’s formal name, the Republic of China, and believes that only Taiwan’s people can decide their future. He has also repeatedly offered talks with China, although such offers have been rebuffed.
Taiwan was formed in 1949 when the Kuomintang (KMT), also known as the Chinese Nationalist Party (CNP), fled to the island after losing the civil war against Mao Zedong’s communists, who subsequently founded the People’s Republic of China.
In recent weeks, China has implemented coercive measures to interfere in Taiwan’s upcoming election, including deploying military aircraft and balloons near Taiwan and suspending tariff relief on imports of certain Taiwanese petrochemical products. China has also threatened to impose more sanctions on Taiwan if the ruling party persists in supporting independence.
Xi’s comments on Taiwan during Mao’s birth anniversary have been interpreted by some experts as an attempt to elevate himself above the late leader, highlighting the significance of the Taiwan unification issue.
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