Xi Jinping makes conciliatory remarks on 'peaceful reunification and dialogue' ahead of major events, including APEC

[Financial News] Xi Jinping, China's president, delivered a conciliatory message, stressing his commitment to peaceful reunification and dialogue with Taiwan. He appears to have moderated the tone of his hard-line remarks toward Taiwan ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, a U.S.-China summit and Taiwan's local elections.
On the 12th, President Xi said at a ceremony marking the 160th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen's birth, held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, “Resolving the Taiwan issue is the Chinese Communist Party's unchanging historical mission,” adding, “The tide of history cannot be stopped. The complete reunification of the motherland must be achieved, and it will be achieved.”
President Xi said he adheres to the policy of “peaceful reunification and one country, two systems,” and claimed he was willing to engage in dialogue with Taiwan on the basis of the “One China” principle. He also said residents on both sides of the Taiwan Strait (China and Taiwan) should jointly oppose pro-independence forces in Taiwan and work toward the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.
The speech was seen as placing greater emphasis on peace and dialogue than on the use of force or a hard-line response. China, however, has not officially renounced the possibility of using force against Taiwan. The Chinese military conducts military activities around Taiwan every day and is expanding the scope of its operations into the Pacific Ocean.
Taiwan's major political parties do not support reunification under the “one country, two systems” model proposed by China.
[email protected] Hong Chae-wan Reporter