China's Taiwan Affairs Office Urges Peaceful Reunification Ahead of Elections
In a message released earlier today, Song Tao, the head of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, urged the people of Taiwan to actively promote the process of "peaceful reunification," highlighting that it is a common desire shared by both sides of the Taiwan Strait. This statement comes less than two weeks before Taiwan is set to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on January 13.
President Xi Jinping had previously asserted in his New Year's Eve address that the reunification of China with Taiwan was inevitable. In line with this sentiment, Song Tao reiterated in his New Year's message, "The motherland will eventually be reunified, and it will inevitably be reunified." He underscored that reunification is a shared desire and mission for the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
According to Song, the people of Taiwan should actively contribute to "promoting cross-strait relations to return to the right track of peaceful development and promoting the process of peaceful reunification of the motherland." However, it is worth noting that Taiwan's government has consistently rejected China's sovereignty claims, with both the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and the largest opposition party, the Kuomintang, asserting that only Taiwan's people can determine their future.
China has proposed a "one country, two systems" model of autonomy for Taiwan, but no mainstream Taiwanese party supports this idea. Song Tao reiterated China's support for "one country, two systems" while expressing opposition to Taiwan's formal independence and any "interference by external forces."
Notably, Song's message made no direct mention of the upcoming elections, which the Taiwan Affairs Office has characterized as a crucial choice between war and peace. China has escalated military pressure around the island, revoked some tariff cuts for Taiwan, and issued threats of additional economic measures as the election date approaches. The situation remains tense as Taiwan prepares for a significant political decision amidst growing external pressures.
