Chinese President Xi Jinping stated outright on Wednesday that Beijing ’s goal is to absorb Taiwan and that China could use “force” to achieve the…
Chinese President Xi Jinping stated outright on Wednesday that Beijing ’s goal is to absorb Taiwan and that China could use “force” to achieve the goal if necessary. Mr. Xi ’s comments, which are likely to elevate tension over the prospect of Taiwan ’s independence from Communist mainland China, came a day after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen vowed the democracy-oriented island will forever resist the sort of reunification being pushed by Beijing . “ Taiwan will never accept ‘one country, two systems,’ Ms. Tsai said in a speech Tuesday, referencing China ’s long-held claim that it’s open to allowing Taiwan to have its own semi-autonomous government as long as the island’s sovereignty is fully folded under Chinese rule. Mr. Xi dismissed Ms. Tsai’s remarks Wednesday, delivering his own major speech marking the 40 year anniversary of Beijing ’s efforts to improve ties with Taiwan, in which the Chinese president urged the Taiwanese to submit to the reality that they “must and will be” reunited with China.
