China will never give up right to use force on Taiwan, Xi says

By: News Team

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The Taiwan issue must be resolved by the Chinese people, President Xi Jinping said at the opening of a major party meeting on Sunday, stressing that Beijing will never give up the right to use the force but will strive for a peaceful solution.

Taiwan, which China considers its own territory, responded that it will not back down on its sovereignty or compromise freedom and democracy.

Tensions between Beijing and Taipei rose sharply in August after China staged war games near Taiwan following a visit to the country by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Those activities have continued, albeit at a reduced pace.

In a keynote speech at the 20th Communist Party Congress in Beijing, Xi said China has always “respected, cared for and benefited” the people of Taiwan and vowed to promote economic and cultural markets across the Taiwan Strait.

“The resolution of the Taiwan issue is the Chinese people’s own business, and it is up to them to decide,” he said.

“We insist on fighting for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and best efforts, but we will never promise to give up the use of force and reserve the option to take all necessary measures.”

That option is aimed at “interference” by external forces and at a “very small number” of Taiwan independence supporters, and not at the vast majority of the Taiwanese people, Xi said.

“The complete reunification of the motherland must be achieved,” he added, against a background of a long round of applause.

Taiwan’s presidential office responded that the ROC, the island’s official name, is a sovereign and independent country.

“Taiwan’s position is firm: no retreat on national sovereignty, no compromise on democracy and freedom, and battlefield encounter is absolutely not an option for both sides of the Taiwan Strait,” he said in a statement. a statement.

Beijing has offered Taiwan a “one country, two systems” model of autonomy, the same formula it uses for Hong Kong. But Taiwan’s main political parties have rejected that proposal and it has almost no public support, according to opinion polls.

Taiwan claims that only its people can decide its future and that Beijing’s claims are void, as the PRC has never ruled any part of the island.

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