In a speech held at Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Chinese Premier Xi Jinping declared that China would achieve a peaceful 'reunification' with Taiwan and that the Chinese idea of 'national rejuvenation' was under threat from 'Taiwanese separatism'. The speech comes days after Taiwan's defense minister Chiu-Kuo Cheng warned that China may be on track to invade the island state by 2025.
Taiwan's rocky relationship with China hit s new low last week after Chinese military planes crossed over into Taiwanese airspace. The country has rejected Beijing's declaration of reunification and has called upon China to abandon coercive tactics. Taiwan rejected Beijing's proposed "two systems, one country" offer in order to maintain its independence.
"No one should underestimate the Chinese people's staunch determination, firm will, and strong ability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity," Xi said at the function commemorating the 1911 revolution which overthrew the imperial dynasty. "The historical task of the complete reunification of the motherland must be fulfilled, and will definitely be fulfilled."
On Saturday, Taiwanese President Tsai-in Wei thanked the Taiwanese military for protecting the nation but did not explicitly mention the Chinese intrusions into their airspace.