Xi Reaffirms China’s Taiwan Goal as Taipei Rejects Framework

Chinese President Xi Jinping renewed Beijing’s goal of bringing Taiwan under its control, saying complete reunification must and will be achieved while reiterating a stated preference for a peaceful process. Taiwan’s government rejected Beijing’s proposed framework, which would place the island under China’s sovereignty with a degree of autonomy.

Xi made the remarks Thursday at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People during an event marking the 160th anniversary of revolutionary leader Sun Yatsen’s birth. Xi described resolving the Taiwan question as a historical mission of the Chinese Communist Party and said the course of history could not be stopped. He also called on Chinese people, including those in Taiwan, to oppose what Beijing describes as separatist forces.

Xi reiterated support for peaceful reunification under the “one country, two systems” framework. Beijing has proposed the model for Taiwan’s future relationship with mainland China, but it has little support among Taiwan’s major political parties. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council said the government and people could not accept a framework that would mean submitting to Communist Party rule. Council spokesperson Liang...