China’s Xi Jinping warns ‘Taiwan separatists’, stresses support for Hong Kong and Macau

In National Day speech, Chinese leader says the island is the country’s ‘ sacred territory’

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Chinese President Xi Jinping has used his national Day address to send a warning to Taiwan independence forces. Photo: Xinhua

Hayley Wongin BeijingandJane Caiin Beijing

Published: 7:47pm, 30 Sep 2024Updated: 3:45pm, 1 Oct 2024

President Xi Jinping used his annual National Day address on Monday to send a strong warning to “separatists” on Taiwan and to emphasise backing for Hong Kong and Macau.

Taiwan was “China’s sacred territory” and “the people on both sides of the [Taiwan] Strait are connected by blood”, Xi said at an official event in Beijing to mark Tuesday’s 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic.

“We must … promote the spiritual harmony of compatriots on both sides of the strait, and resolutely oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities,” he said.

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China’s Xi Jinping warns ‘Taiwan separatists’, stresses support for Hong Kong and Macau

It was the second warning in two months from Xi to independence advocates since William Lai Ching-te succeeded Tsai Ing-wen as the self-ruled island’s leader.

Cross-strait tensions have grown since May when Lai came to power. Beijing has repeatedly accused Lai of sending dangerous signals on independence and opposed his push to improve combat readiness. It has also intensified military activities around the island.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force, if necessary. Most countries, including the United States, do not recognise self-governed Taiwan as independent, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the island by force and is committed to arming it for defence.

Xi also pledged “staunch backing” for Hong Kong and Macau to preserve and promote the prosperity and stability of the two special administrative regions.