Amid tensions with Taiwan, China claims desire for 'peaceful' reunification
CBC
Chinese leader Xi Jinping said on Saturday that a "peaceful" reunification of Taiwan with China's mainland was in Beijing's interests, despite ratcheted-up military threats against the self-governing island.
Xi spoke at an official celebration in Beijing's Great Hall of the People that focused largely on the need for the ruling Communist Party to continue to lead China as the country rises in power and influence.
"Reunification of the nation must be realized, and will definitely be realized," Xi vowed before an audience of politicians, military personnel and others gathered in the hulking chamber that serves as the seat of China's ceremonial legislature.
"Reunification through a peaceful manner is the most in line with the overall interest of the Chinese nation, including Taiwan compatriots," the leader added.
Xi's remarks came just days after the Chinese military sent a record number of military aircraft flying toward Taiwan in exercises that the self-ruled island has called a threat.
Over the course of four days, starting last week, the mainland People's Liberation Army flew fighter jets, bombers and airborne early warning aircraft 149 times toward Taiwan, with the largest single manoeuvre involving 52 jets.
Taiwan and China split in 1949 amid a civil war, with the then-ruling Nationalist Party fleeing to the island as Mao Zedong's Communists swept to power on the mainland.
