Xi Renews Call for Taiwan Unification in Beijing Speech

Xi addresses Taiwan question

November 12, 2026, 7:52 a.m. Central time.

Chinese President Xi Jinping renewed his call for unification with Taiwan on Thursday, describing it as a goal that must be achieved and saying Beijing would pursue it peacefully.

Xi spoke at a Beijing ceremony marking the 160th anniversary of the birth of Sun Yat-sen, a revolutionary leader claimed as an important historical figure on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, Reuters reported.

What Beijing and Taipei say

Xi reiterated Beijing’s proposed “one country, two systems” framework and said talks should be based on its one-China principle, Reuters reported. He did not mention the use of force in this speech. Beijing has not renounced force in its policy toward Taiwan.

China claims Taiwan as its territory. Taiwan has its own democratically elected government and rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claim. The two sides have been governed separately since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, according to the Associated Press.

Taiwan’s position and the context

In an October National Day speech, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said the island sought peace while protecting its freedom, AP reported. Lai has said Taiwan’s people should decide their own future, according to Reuters.

Before Thursday’s event, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council had warned residents against attending China’s Sun commemorations, saying Beijing was using them to advance its political position. That earlier statement should not be read as a response to Xi’s specific speech.

The address comes ahead of the APEC summit in China and local elections in Taiwan, Reuters reported. It did not announce a new timetable or agreement.

Timeline

1949: China and Taiwan came under separate governments following the civil war. October 2026: Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council warned against attending the planned commemorations in China. November 12: Xi spoke at the Beijing event. Dates are local to China and Taiwan.