Xi Calls for Taiwan Reunification on National Day — SkimNews
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- Xi Jinping called for advancing "reunification" with Taiwan and rejected "external interference" in a Sep 30 speech at Beijing's Great Hall of the People, delivered to hundreds of guests ahead of the 77th anniversary of the People's Republic of China (Oct 1).
- The speech came days after Xi told President Donald Trump during a state visit to Washington that the US should show "prudence" over Taiwan and oppose the island's independence.
- Washington paused a US$14 billion weapons purchase by Taiwan in May, with Trump calling it a "very good negotiating chip" in dealings with China—raising fears that Taiwan's security could be traded away.
- Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to take it; the self-ruled island relies on the US for its security, including through arms purchases.
- Xi also warned that China faces "complex international and domestic situations" demanding "accelerating the building of a new pattern of development" and adherence to "an independent foreign policy of peace."
Why it matters: Beijing is hardening its public Taiwan posture at the very moment Washington has signaled flexibility—Trump called the paused US$14 billion Taiwan arms package a "negotiating chip"—leaving Taipei's security guarantees more openly contingent on US-China bargaining.
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