Xi Jinping: China reserves right to use force against Taiwan

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said China reserves the right to use force to bring Taiwan under its control but will strive to achieve peaceful “reunification” with the self-ruled island that has a bright future under Chinese rule.

Xi made the comments on Wednesday in a speech marking the 40th anniversary of a policy statement that eventually led to a thaw in relations with the self-ruled island.

"We are firmly against those who conspire behind the idea of 'Two China', or 'One China-One Taiwan', or Taiwan Independence," Xi said in a part of his first major speech addressing the people of what Beijing considers a breakaway province.

"We have achieved great victory on defeating any pro-independence or separatist activities. Nobody and no party can change the historical and legal that Taiwan is part of China and that both sides of the Strait belong to China," Xi said in Beijing.

China "reserves the option of taking all necessary measures" against outside forces that interfere with peaceful reunification and Taiwan independence separatist activities, he added.

Taiwan is China’s most sensitive issue and is claimed by Beijing as its sacred territory. Xi has stepped up pressure on the proudly democratic island since Tsai Ing-wen from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party became president in 2016.

Xi has set great personal store in resolving what the Communist Party calls the “Taiwan issue”, holding a landmark meeting with then Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou in Singapore in late 2015, just before Tsai was elected.

This, though, was aimed at foreign forces who seek to interfere and the tiny minority of Taiwan independence forces and their activities, Xi said without elaborating in what was likely a reference to the United States, Taiwan’s strongest backer.

There was no immediate reaction from Taiwan’s government.

Xi reiterated that China was willing to talk with any party in Taiwan to push the political process - stalled by China since Tsai took office - as long as they accept the “one China” principle.