In his recent New Year address to the nation, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a potent message, emphasizing the inevitability of Taiwan’s reunification with China, while concurrently showcasing China’s formidable advancements in technology and economic resilience.
Xi’s speech, broadcasted on Sunday evening, underscored the concept that Taiwan’s integration with China is not just a possibility but a historical certainty. He insisted that the peoples on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should collectively embrace the prospects of China’s national rejuvenation.
This address comes at a critical juncture in global politics, marked by escalating tensions between China and Western powers, particularly the United States. Concerns have been raised regarding China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea’s disputed regions and its increased military activities surrounding Taiwan, which is poised for its presidential elections on January 13.
The Chinese government, asserting sovereignty over Taiwan, has not dismissed the use of force as a means to achieve unification, particularly if Taipei indefinitely opposes this move. This stance is evident in Beijing’s criticism of the Democratic Progressive Party’s frontrunner in Taiwan’s presidential race, Lai Ching-te, labeling him as a separatist.
Contrasting Xi’s stance, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, in her final New Year address and subsequent interactions with journalists in Taipei, reinforced the principle that the future of cross-Strait relations should be determined by democratic processes and the will of Taiwan’s people. She also raised alarms over China’s perceived meddling in the upcoming presidential and legislative elections, noting Beijing’s preference for the Kuomintang, which advocates closer ties with the Chinese Communist Party.
Xi, in his address, resonated a similar tone to his conversation with US President Joe Biden in San Francisco last November. Chinese state media reported Xi’s unwavering commitment to reunification, stating it as an unstoppable force. The rhetoric employed by Xi this year marks a notable intensification from his previous New Year addresses, where he referred to the Taiwanese and Chinese as “members of one and the same family.”
Lev Nachman, a political science professor at National Chengchi University in Taipei, interprets Xi’s intensified rhetoric as a response to the dynamic political landscape, including the strained relations between the Democratic Progressive Party and the Chinese Communist Party and the broader context of US-China relations.
Despite Xi’s stern warning, Nachman believes that such rhetoric may not significantly sway Taiwanese voters, who view these threats as a commonplace aspect of their political environment.
Xi’s address also shed light on China’s economic situation. The country, still grappling with the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, faces a slower-than-expected economic recovery. Challenges include a liquidity crisis in the property sector, high local government debts, and subdued domestic demand, affecting investor and consumer confidence.
Yet, Xi, regarded by many as China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong, asserted that China’s economy continues to recover. He acknowledged the difficulties faced by businesses and individuals in finding jobs and meeting basic needs but emphasized his administration’s commitment to stability and security, even if it means avoiding significant policy shifts.
Moreover, Xi highlighted China’s technological strides, citing examples such as deep-sea exploration, the maiden flight of the C919 – China’s first domestically produced passenger jet, and achievements in electric vehicle manufacturing, lithium batteries, and solar photovoltaic cells.
Xi concluded his address with a call to enhance education, science, technology, and talent cultivation, signaling China’s determination to scale new heights in innovation and technological self-reliance amid intensifying trade tensions with the United States.