Claims it is ‘a matter of justice, and it is in accordance with the popular will. No one can stop the march of history’
The People’s Republic of China is celebrating 75 years since its founding by Chinese Communist Party dictator Mao Zedong, whose policies resulted in the deaths of up to 80 million Chinese citizens.
Nationalist Kuomintang forces were defeated by the Communist army in 1949 after a bloody 20-year civil war, with many fleeing to Taiwan.
During an address at a celebration banquet for the nation’s founding, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for opposition to “separatist activities” of those who continue to support the independence of Taiwan.
China claims Taiwan as its own territory through its “One China Principle,” and Xi reiterated his desire to “reunite” China with the democratically run Taiwan, whose President Lai Ching-te has been labeled as a “dangerous separatist.”
“Achieving complete national reunification is the common aspiration of the Chinese people … It is an irreversible trend, a matter of justice, and it is in accordance with the popular will. No one can stop the march of history … Taiwan is sacred territory for China. People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have blood ties, and these family ties will always be stronger than others,” Xi said.
🇨🇳 President Xi Affirms Taiwan is China’s “Sacred Territory” – Warns “Separatists” During National Day Speech
“People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are connected by blood,” Xi said during his annual speech to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s… pic.twitter.com/EEIVlo4PYi
— Shubham Kumar (@shubhamViral) September 30, 2024
On Monday during an address to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi expressed his gratitude to “friendly” countries and “international friends” who support the development of China.
President #XiJinping vows greater national achievements, contributions to humanity’s peace, development #PRC75Years https://t.co/HkVOMdPHQB
— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) September 30, 2024
Xi stressed the need for a united China.
“The great motherland and great nation nurtured by over 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, have always been the deepest and most enduring emotional ties of all the Chinese people. On this vast, beautiful, and fertile land, people of all ethnic groups share a common homeland, China; a common identity, the Chinese nation; a common name, Chinese; and a common dream, realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” Xi said.
Watch: #XiJinping stresses consolidating unity of Chinese nation #PRC75Years pic.twitter.com/MJWzQGbHlS
— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) September 27, 2024
While Xi calls for peace and unity, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered a different message to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday, saying Taiwan will return to its “motherland” of China.
“Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. This is the history and the reality. The complete reunification of China will be achieved. Taiwan will eventually return to the embrace of the motherland,” Wang said.
Wang argued there are declarations that declare Taiwan as part of China, and which decreed all territories stolen by Japan, including Taiwan and the Ponghu Islands, should be returned.
“This constitutes an important part of the post war international order. Right here … 53 years ago, the 26th session of the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority, deciding to restore all the rights of the People’s Republic of China at the UN, to recognize the representatives of the government of the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the UN,” Wang said.
Wang added that representatives of Taiwan should be “expelled””from the UN, and doubled down on the resolution giving China sovereignty over Taiwan.
