BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping took a hard line on Taiwan again on the 30th, a day before the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, after openly pressing U.S. President Donald Trump to oppose Taiwan independence at their summit. On the economy, Xi said China "withstood pressure and showed strong resilience and vitality," stressing that the country is on track to meet its annual growth target and has made a smooth start to the 15th Five-Year Plan covering 2026 through 2030.
From "Oppose" to "Strike": Rhetoric Escalates on Taiwan Independence
Xi said at the 77th National Day reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing a day earlier that China would "resolutely strike at Taiwan independence separatist forces and oppose interference by external forces," according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency on the 1st. He went on to stress the need to "advance the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and move forward the great cause of national reunification."
National Day marks Mao Zedong's declaration of the founding of the People's Republic of China from the Tiananmen rostrum in Beijing on Oct. 1, 1949. It ranks with the Lunar New Year as one of China's two biggest holidays. About 800 people attended the reception, hosted by Premier Li Qiang, including the seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee and other Communist Party, government and military leaders, along with representatives from various sectors and foreign diplomats.
At last year's National Day reception, Xi said China must "resolutely oppose Taiwan independence separatist activities and interference by external forces, and firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity." This year he replaced "resolutely oppose Taiwan independence" with "resolutely strike at Taiwan independence forces," raising the intensity of his language. Even so, the remarks were seen as relatively restrained compared with expressions he used on Taiwan at the same event in 2024, such as "blood is thicker than water" and "the complete reunification of the motherland."
Chinese authorities first hardened their Taiwan policy language in the government work report at the annual parliamentary sessions in March this year, shifting from "oppose Taiwan independence separatism" to "strike at Taiwan independence separatism." Beijing appears to be stepping up pressure on the Democratic Progressive Party administration now governing Taiwan, ahead of the 100th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army's founding and the 21st National Congress of the Communist Party next year.
"Strong Resilience in China's Economy, Smooth Start to 15th Five-Year Plan"
Xi also laid out policy direction on the economy and foreign affairs. He called for accelerating the construction of a new development pattern and further deepening reform and opening up, and said the country must "better coordinate development and security, and substantially safeguard and improve people's livelihoods to meet the annual targets." He stressed the smooth start to the 15th Five-Year Plan, which began this year.
On the economy, Xi said China "pressed forward while withstanding pressure, cultivated new growth drivers and achieved high-quality development, demonstrating strong resilience and vitality." He also said the country had made new progress and achievements across various fields this year, including drawing up and implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan.
On foreign policy, he again emphasized an independent and self-reliant foreign policy of peace. "We must advance the implementation of the four global initiatives and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," Xi said, adding that China must "inject more certainty and positive energy into a world entangled in turmoil and change." The four global initiatives is a collective term for foreign policy proposals Xi has put forward at the United Nations and elsewhere, built around development, security, civilization and governance.
On Hong Kong and Macau, Xi said China must firmly implement the principles of "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and "Macau people governing Macau," along with a high degree of autonomy. He added that China should support the two cities in integrating more deeply into its national development strategy and maintaining long-term prosperity and stability.
