Oppose Taiwan separatism, reject foreign interference: Xi Jinping
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"There are no knots that cannot be untied, no issues that cannot be discussed, and no force that can separate" the Chinese nation, Xi said.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping attends during the second plenary session meeting of the National People's Congress (NPC) in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Friday, March 8, 2024 (AP)
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called on residents of mainland China and Taiwan to resist external interference in the nation's affairs and reject separatist movements promoting independence for the island.
"Compatriots from both sides of the Taiwan Strait should firmly oppose separatist activities for Taiwan's independence and interference by external forces, resolutely protect the common home of the Chinese nation, and jointly strive for a bright future of peaceful reunification," Xi was quoted by the Xinhua news agency as saying.
The statements were delivered during his meeting with former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou in Beijing.
"There are no knots that cannot be untied, no issues that cannot be discussed, and no force that can separate" the Chinese nation, Xi said, adding that people on both sides are all of Chinese origin.
He further noted that despite system differences, it remains unchanged that both coasts of the Taiwan Strait belong to one country and nation. He further recalled the significance of the 1992 Consensus, which encapsulates the One China principle and called for the peaceful development of relations between Taiwan and China.
Ma, for his part, said that "fulfillment of the 1992 Consensus and opposition to Taiwan's independence are the common political basis for the peaceful development of relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait."
Ma served as president of Taiwan from 2008 to 2016. The visit to mainland China marks his second meeting with the Chinese President following that of March 2023, reflecting a continuation of his diplomatic efforts to foster relations between Taiwan and mainland China.
Read more: Taiwan's KMT Vice Chairman begins 10-day US visit to bolster ties
On March 28, the US has allocated two military supplies packages, valued at $700 million combined, to support Taiwan.
At a press briefing on the same, the Chinese Defense Ministry said that Separatist activity in Taiwan was diminishing the likelihood of achieving peaceful reunification.
"The more unrestrained the separatist activities of [supporters of] Taiwan's independence are, the fewer opportunities there are for peaceful reunification," a spokesman of the Defense Ministry said.
They added that the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) will continue to improve training and combat readiness, and will work to "defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity with unwavering determination."
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
