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| Chinese President Xi Jinping applauds during an event at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Oct. 9, commemorating the 110th anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution. Xi said Saturday that reunification with Taiwan must happen and will happen peacefully, despite a ratcheting-up of China's threats to attack the island. AP-Yonhap |
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"To achieve the reunification of the motherland by peaceful means is most in line with the overall interests of the Chinese nation, including our compatriots in Taiwan," Xi told a meeting in Beijing commemorating the 110th anniversary of the revolution that established the first Chinese republic.
The Xinhai Revolution, which began in Wuchang, now part of modern-day Wuhan, led to the downfall of the Qing Dynasty.
In his most high-profile speech on Taiwan since July 1, the Communist Party's centenary, Xi said: "We [should] adhere to the basic policy of peaceful reunification and one country, two systems, adhere to the one-China principle and the 1992 consensus, and promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations."
He urged Taiwan to "stand on the right side of history jointly to create the glorious cause of the full reunification and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."
Xi added that secessionists were "the biggest obstacle to the reunification of the motherland and a serious hidden risk to national rejuvenation."
"Those who forget their ancestors, betray the motherland, or split the country are doomed. They will definitely be spurned by the people and judged by history."
Without naming any country directly, Xi also warned of foreign interference. "The Taiwan issue is entirely China's internal affair, and no external interference can be condoned," he said.
"No one should underestimate the Chinese people's determination, and strong ability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The historical task of the complete reunification of the motherland must be fulfilled, and it will definitely be fulfilled," he concluded.
