Xi Jinping Declares ‘Unstoppable’ Unification with Taiwan

In a bold proclamation during his New Year’s Eve speech, Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s commitment to reunifying with Taiwan, following extensive military exercises in the region. Speaking on December 31, 2023, he declared, “The reunification of our motherland, a trend of the times, is unstoppable.” This statement follows recent military drills that have heightened tensions between China and Taiwan, as well as concerns from U.S. intelligence regarding China’s military capabilities.

China views Taiwan, a self-governing island, as part of its territory and has long expressed intentions to annex it, even suggesting the use of military force if necessary. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) conducted live-fire drills around Taiwan on December 30 and 31, simulating a blockade of key ports and involving a significant military presence, including at least 89 warplanes. This marked the largest number of warplanes involved in such exercises in over a year.

Military Drills and Rising Tensions

The recent exercises, named “Justice Mission 2025,” were anticipated by analysts but were also perceived as a reaction to the U.S. government’s approval of a record $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan. The drills encircled Taiwan’s main island, intensifying fears of a potential military conflict. U.S. officials are increasingly alert to the advancing capabilities of the Chinese armed forces, particularly regarding their readiness to launch an attack if Xi Jinping decides the moment is right.

During his address, Xi also emphasized China’s openness to the world, referencing several multilateral conferences hosted in 2023, including the Shanghai Cooperation Summit held in August. This summit saw the participation of global leaders such as Vladimir Putin of Russia, Narendra Modi of India, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, reinforcing the geopolitical alignment among these nations.

The broadcast of Xi’s speech featured visuals of China’s largest military parade, held in September to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. This event showcased military strength and was attended by prominent leaders, including Xi, Putin, and Kim Jong-un of North Korea. This gathering has been characterized as part of an “axis of upheaval,” reflecting a growing alliance among these nations.

Historical Context and Cultural Growth

Central to Xi’s vision for a new world order is the annexation of Taiwan and garnering international recognition of the “One China” principle. This principle asserts that Taiwan is an integral part of China, a notion that many in Taiwan reject. In his speech, Xi mentioned “Taiwan Retrocession Day,” a memorial established to commemorate the end of Japanese rule over Taiwan in 1945. On October 25, 2023, Taiwan officially recognized this date as a national holiday, further complicating historical narratives.

Political rhetoric in both China and Taiwan has drawn parallels to World War II, with China emphasizing its role in defeating Japan, a contribution it feels has been overlooked in Western discourse. Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te, has likened Taiwan’s current situation to that of European democracies facing threats from authoritarian regimes during the 1930s.

In addition to political ambitions, Xi highlighted advancements in technology, mentioning notable projects such as the Tianwen-2 comet exploration mission and innovations like kung fu robots. He also celebrated the success of Chinese cultural exports, including the highly anticipated video game Black Myth: Wukong and the animated film Ne Zha 2.

Earlier in the day, during a meeting with senior Communist Party officials, Xi stated that China is on track to achieve its economic growth target of 5 percent GDP growth for the coming year. This economic focus, combined with military assertiveness, paints a picture of a nation poised to enhance its influence both regionally and globally as it navigates its complex relationship with Taiwan.