Xi Jinping's National Day speech contains a rare upgrade in Taiwan-related language: he changes his tune and resolutely "fights" Taiwan independence and reiterates peaceful development

Chinese President Xi Jinping raises a toast at the National Day reception in Beijing on September 30. In his speech, he rarely changed his Taiwan-related language from "opposing" to resolutely "fighting" Taiwan independence, and reiterated the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.

Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, attended the National Day reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on the evening of September 30. There was a rare escalation of rhetoric in his Taiwan-related speech. In a 53-word Taiwan-related statement, Xi Jinping changed his usual phrase of "opposing" Taiwan independence to resolutely "fighting" Taiwan independence separatist forces while retaining "peaceful development" across the Taiwan Strait, revealing a two-handed strategy of using soft and hard tactics against Taiwan.

The international news agency Reuters reported that a reception to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the evening of September 30. When talking about cross-Strait issues in his speech, Xi Jinping emphasized the need to "deepen cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, resolutely combat Taiwan independence separatist forces, oppose interference from external forces, promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and promote the great cause of the reunification of the motherland."

The report specifically pointed out that compared to last year's National Day speech, which used "resolute opposition," Xi Jinping changed his tone this year to use the more offensive "resolute strike." In the English report, Reuters even specifically translated the word as "combat," thereby warning the international community that Beijing's rhetoric on Taiwan has become significantly tougher.

An in-depth analysis by Hong Kong's South China Morning Post pointed out that although Xi Jinping upgraded opposition to a more deterrent "strike" in his Taiwan-related speech, he also re-incorporated "promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations." This moderating statement did not appear in last year's National Day speech, showing that while intensifying anti-independence pressure, Beijing is still trying to retain flexible space for cross-Strait civil exchanges and economic exchanges.

The official transcript released by Xinhua News Agency shows that in June this year, the Chinese Communist Party issued a "22 Articles of Punishment for Independence" judicial document against Taiwan independence, and gradually established the policy of "strike Taiwan independence" in Taiwan-related work conferences. This time, after Xi Jinping just concluded his visit to the United States, he publicly said "strike" in front of about 800 Chinese and foreign guests at the National Day reception for the first time, further confirming the tough tone of Beijing's high-level discussion on Taiwan.

In addition to Taiwan-related issues, Xi Jinping also admitted in his speech that China's economy faces complex domestic and international environments. He called on all departments to adhere to "seeking progress while maintaining stability" and strive to achieve the annual economic goals. He also emphasized the need to implement "one country, two systems" and support Hong Kong and Macao to better integrate into the overall development of the country.