News / China

China committed to Taiwan peaceful reunification, but will use forces if necessary: Xi

Sunday, 16 October 2022 9:00 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 16 October 2022 9:12 AM ]

Chinese President Xi Jinping waves as he arrives for the opening ceremony of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China October 16, 2022.

China's President Xi Jinping says his government is committed to peaceful reunification with Taiwan, but may use force if necessary.

Xi made the remarks on Sunday in a ceremony held to open the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The Chinese leader rejected any forms of separatism and interference over the self-ruled island, which Beijing considers as part of its territory.

“Resolving the Taiwan issue is a matter for Chinese people themselves, and must be resolved by Chinese people alone. We will adhere to striving for the prospect of a peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and greatest efforts, but will never commit to abandoning the use of force, and reserve the option to take all necessary measures,” Xi said.

China has sovereignty over Taiwan, and under the ‘One China’ policy, almost all world countries recognize that sovereignty, meaning that they would not establish diplomatic contact with the island's secessionist government.

The US, too, claims commitment to that principle, but in violation of its own stated policy and in an attempt to antagonize Beijing, as courted the secessionist government in Taipei, supporting its anti-China stance, and supplying it with a large cache of weaponry.

Xi also said China must ensure Hong Kong is ruled by patriots, adding Beijing will support Hong Kong in integrating with the mainland.

He said the situation there “has achieved a major transition from chaos to governance,” noting that “one country, two systems” is the best system for Hong Kong and must be adhered to in the long-run.

He also argued that Beijing is against a Cold War mentality in international politics and interference in other countries’ internal affairs.

“China... resolutely opposes all forms of hegemony and power politics, opposes the Cold War mentality, opposes interfering in other countries’ domestic politics, opposes double standards,” he said, adding Beijing “will never seek hegemony and will never engage in expansion.”

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