Xi calls Taiwan’s return ‘inevitable’

China is willing to use force to ensure the “unshakable historic task” of its complete reunification with Taiwan, Xi Jinping said Wednesday, as he warned that independence for the island would bring “profound disaster.”

In one of his most significant addresses on Taiwan since taking power, the Chinese president told a gathering in Beijing that “China must and will be united, which is an inevitable requirement for the historical rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era.”

“China won’t attack Chinese people. We are willing to use the greatest sincerity and expend the greatest hard work to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification,” Xi said.

But he added that China “did not promise to renounce the use of force” and would “reserve the option to use all necessary measures” to prevent independence for Taiwan.

The threat was aimed at foreign forces seeking to interfere as well as advocates of Taiwanese independence, the president said, in what has been perceived to be a reference to the United States, Taiwan’s strongest backer.

Xi sought to reassure the Taiwanese people that “peaceful reunification” would bring them “good and prosperous lives,” even though the majority would prefer good relations with China without being ruled by Beijing. Responding to Xi’s remarks, Tsai Ing-wen, the Taiwanese president, said the country was “willing to sit down and talk” but only if Taiwan was represented by its own government. She also rejected the concept of “one country, two systems” favoured by China.

Tsai had pre-empted Xi’s address with her own speech on Tuesday, in which she emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to democracy and called on Beijing to seek peaceful means to solve their differences.

Taiwan rejects China’s territorial claims. As a result, Beijing has tried in recent years to undermine Taiwanese sovereignty and has stepped up pressure on the international community to exclude Taipei from global forums.

Victor Gao, a commentator on China’s state broadcaster, said the “landmark speech” could be seen as a turning point in cross-strait relations. However, Xi’s overtures received a muted response in Taiwan.

Xi Jinping