‘Unification Is Ultimate Goal Of Talks’: China Threatens Use Of Force As Taiwan Rejects ‘One Country, Two Systems’

Chinese President, Xi Jinping, has reiterated his country’s stance that the ultimate goal of any talks with Taiwan has to be unification, and has indicated that armed force may be used in case the island nation tries to declare full independence, reports TOI.

XI’s comments came in the wake of Taiwanese President, Tsai Ing-wen, exhorting China to look for a peaceful settlement of the dispute over his country’s sovereignty. She stated that her country’s 23 million people wished to stick to self-rule.

Beijing’s view has always been that Taiwan’s sovereignty and independence is illegitimate and that it eventually must return to the mainland Chinese authority.

Highlighting China’s economic and political rise, Xi said, “The country is growing strong, the nation is rejuvenating, and unification between the two sides of the strait is the great trend of history.”

He was speaking to bureaucrats, military officials and other guests at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi gave his assurance that even when unification was complete, Taiwanese peoples religious and legal freedoms would be respected via a ‘one country, two systems’ framework, which is similar to how China rules its special administrative regions like Hong Kong and Macau.

“Different systems are not an obstacle to unification, and even less are they an excuse for separatism. The private property, religious beliefs and legitimate rights and interests of Taiwanese compatriots will be fully assured,” Xi maintained.

Tsai rejected Xi’s message, stating Taiwan’s people would never assent to a ‘one country, two systems’ compromise.