On the eve of Communist China’s 75th anniversary, President Xi Jinping reiterated his commitment to achieving “reunification” with Taiwan, further escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait, CNN reports.
Speaking at a state banquet celebrating the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Xi emphasized his resolve to bring Taiwan under Beijing’s control.
“It’s an irreversible trend, a cause of righteousness and the common aspiration of the people. No one can stop the march of history,” he declared.
In his address, Xi called for deeper economic and cultural exchanges across the strait while simultaneously vowing to “resolutely oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities.” He labeled Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te a “dangerous separatist.”
This comes on the heels of China firing an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean for the first time in 44 years, a demonstration of military power that analysts see as a message to the United States and its allies.
The issue of Taiwan has become a major point of contention between China and the US, which maintains close ties with Taipei.
Over the weekend, President Joe Biden approved a $567 million military aid package for Taiwan, the largest such package from the US to date.
