Beijing and Taipei represent diametrically opposite ways of life. Taiwan is a democracy, whereas China is a communist country.
Mumbai: Chinese President Xi Jinping ended the year with a threat over Taiwan, saying “no one can stop the reunification” with China. He said this while addressing the nation on New Year’s Eve. Beijing has, for a long, stated that the entire country of Taiwan is part of China. It has also shown an overt and muscular posturing by carrying out air force and naval drills around the island nation.
Beijing and Taipei have opposite ways of life. Taiwan is a democracy, whereas China is a communist country. Recently, Beijing has increased pressure on Taipei and has done everything possible to alienate the island nation from the rest of the world.
China has also conducted three major military exercises since Taiwan’s democratic election, which saw President Lai Ching-te come to power in May. Angered by the recent election, Beijing has declared that it will not abandon the threat of force to absorb Taiwan.
The final of these military exercises, conducted last week, was the biggest in decades, Taiwanese officials said, while Beijing has had nothing to say about the manoeuvres. China has also entered Taiwanese airspace several times.
In his New Year’s speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping said, “Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. No one can sever our blood ties, and no one can stop the historical trend of the reunification of the motherland.” President Xi’s remarks come at a critical juncture—three weeks ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration as US President.
