Chinese President Xi Jinping has reiterated Beijing’s determination to achieve reunification with Taiwan, declaring that the goal “must and will be realised” during a speech in Beijing.
Speaking on Nov 12, Xi described reunification as an important historical mission of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), adding that the course of history could not be stopped.
His comments were made during an event commemorating the 160th birth anniversary of Sun Yat-sen, the revolutionary leader who played a major role in the overthrow of China’s Qing dynasty in 1911.
The remarks have drawn a response from Taiwan, whose government rejected Beijing’s proposed political framework and maintained that the island’s future should be determined by its own people.
Xi Says Beijing Remains Committed To Peaceful Reunification
According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, Xi reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to achieving peaceful reunification under the “one country, two systems” framework.
He also expressed Beijing’s willingness to engage in discussions with people from different sectors in Taiwan on cross-strait relations and national reunification.
However, Xi said such discussions would require acceptance of the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus.
The 1992 Consensus refers to an understanding reached between representatives from Beijing and Taipei in 1992. However, the two sides have different interpretations of what the agreement means.
Xi said Beijing would take Taiwan’s circumstances into consideration and account for the interests and feelings of its people when pursuing reunification.
At the same time, he warned that there would be no room for activities advocating Taiwanese independence.
He also called on people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, as well as overseas Chinese communities, to oppose Taiwanese independence and support peaceful cross-strait relations.
Taiwan Rejects ‘One Country, Two Systems’ Proposal
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) responded by rejecting Xi’s position and urging Beijing to recognise the continued existence of the Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan’s official name.
The council also called on China to respect Taiwan’s democratic system and way of life.
It stressed that neither Taiwan’s government nor its people would accept the “one country, two systems” arrangement.
According to the council, decisions concerning Taiwan’s future must be made by the island’s approximately 23 million residents.
MAC deputy head and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh said Xi’s latest comments largely repeated Beijing’s established position on reunification.
Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out using military force to bring the island under its control.
Taiwan, meanwhile, operates with its own democratically elected government and rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
Xi Links Reunification To China’s National Rejuvenation
Xi’s speech also paid tribute to Sun Yat-sen, who remains an important historical figure on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Sun played a leading role in the 1911 revolution that ended the Qing dynasty and led to the establishment of the Republic of China.
During the commemorative event, Xi praised Sun’s contributions to China’s modernisation and national development.
He also portrayed the Chinese Communist Party as carrying forward Sun’s revolutionary aspirations, linking reunification with the broader ambition of national rejuvenation.
Xi called on Chinese people both at home and overseas to work together towards these objectives.
Remarks Come Ahead Of Expected Meeting With Donald Trump
Xi’s latest comments also come ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, scheduled to take place in Shenzhen from Nov 18 to 19, 2026.
US President Donald Trump has said he expects to meet Xi during the summit, according to Reuters.
Taiwan remains a significant issue in relations between Beijing and Washington.
China strongly opposes moves towards formal Taiwanese independence and foreign support for such efforts.
Washington, meanwhile, maintains that any resolution to cross-strait tensions should be peaceful and achieved without coercion or unilateral changes to the existing status quo by either side.
Xi’s latest remarks reinforce Beijing’s longstanding position on reunification, while Taiwan’s response highlights the continuing disagreement over the island’s political future.