Xi Jinping does not intend to let go. During a speech at the Communist Party congress in Beijing, the Chinese president assured Sunday that China would seek to reunify Taiwan peacefully, but without ever renouncing “the use of force” if necessary.
“We will work with the greatest sincerity and the greatest efforts for a peaceful reunification (of Taiwan), but we will never renounce the use of force and we reserve the possibility of taking all necessary measures,” he said. he declares. Beijing considers Taiwan as an integral part of its territory and regularly reaffirms its intention to reunify the island.
“The resolution of the Taiwan question is the business of the Chinese people themselves and (it) must be resolved by the Chinese people alone. The reunification of the homeland must be achieved and will be achieved,” he added, condemning any “separatism and foreign interference” in this matter.
On the way to a third term
Xi Jinping also called for “unity” around his leadership and praised China’s rise as a world power during his speech. “Unity is strength, and victory requires unity”, launched the 69-year-old leader who has led a formidable anti-corruption campaign in recent years, intended according to his critics to clean up his rivals.
In power since 2012, the president should barring a dramatic change obtain a third five-year term at the head of the party, and therefore of the country. This new coronation, expected on October 23 the day after the end of the congress, will make him the most powerful Chinese leader since the founder of the regime, Mao (1949-1976).