“The motherland will surely be reunified,” Xi Jinping said in his New Year’s speech. He also pledged more investment in new industries to boost China’s growth.
“Compatriots on both sides of the (Taiwan) Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose to share in the glory of national rejuvenation,” he added
His comments could be seen as a signal that Beijing will continue to pressure Taiwan politically and militarily. Xi has previously said China was prepared to retake Taiwan by force if necessary and in recent months, Chinese warships and military aircraft have been deployed in the island’s vicinity.