Xi Jinping threatened Taiwan in New Year's message: No one can stop reunification with China

The Chinese president, XI Jinpinghe declared Tuesday in a speech to the nation on the occasion of the New Year What no one can prevent reunification with Taiwanissuing a clear warning to what Beijing sees as pro-independence forces inside and outside the island of 23 million people.

The Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. “No one can sever our blood ties, and no one can stop the historical trend towards the reunification of the homeland,” he said in a speech broadcast by state media.

China has stepped up pressure on the island in recent years and carry out three major military exercises since the president came to power Lai Ching-te in May.

The latest, which took place earlier this month, was the largest in years, Taiwanese officials said. But Beijing has not officially confirmed these maneuvers.

Xi's remarks come weeks before Donald Trump takes office as President of the United States.

Taiwan is a subject of contention between Beijing and Washington. The United States does not officially recognize Taiwanbut it is its strategic ally and its largest arms supplier.

Relations between the two powers are likely to become even more tense after Trump's inauguration on January 20.

The president-elect promised to implement more tariffs to punish what he sees as unfair trade practices by China. Beijing rejects these accusations.

In his end-of-year speech, Xi Jinping nevertheless declared that China will be able to overcome economic challengesexternal uncertainties and the pressures of the transition to new growth engines.

In his message, the Chinese president stressed that the economy showed improvements and recovery and described the economic and social achievements of 2024 as a solid foundation for meeting the challenges of the future.

Xi stressed that the China's gross domestic product expected to exceed 130 trillion yuan ($17.8 billion, 17.1 billion euros), while cereal production exceeded 700 million tonnes, consolidating food self-sufficiency.

Furthermore, stressed the importance of implementing policies that strengthen high-quality development and promote technological self-sufficiency, committing to achieving the goals of the 14th Five-Year Plan.

The second largest economy in the world has experienced difficulties to reactivate this year due to a prolonged decline in the housing market, growing local government debt, and low consumer confidence.

Among the technological advances of 2024, Xi highlighted record production of more than 10 million new energy vehicleslike electricity, and achievements in areas such as artificial intelligenceintegrated circuits and quantum communication.

He also highlighted the progress and stability of the Hong Kong Yes Macauthe latter on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Portuguese return from the former colony to China, reaffirming the model one country, two systems as key for your long-term prosperity.

The Chinese leader spoke of 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of Chinahighlighting the dramatic transformations who lived the country and ensuring that Modernization with Chinese characteristics will open up even broader prospects.

At the international level, he reaffirmed that China continues to promote global governance reform and advance initiatives such as New Silk Roadsin addition to actively participating in international forums such as the G20 Yes BRICS contribute to the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity.

He also mentioned milestones such as the lunar mission Change 6which succeeded in collecting samples from the far side of the Moon for the first timemarking a significant advance in space exploration and in the scientific capabilities of the Asian giant.

He further referred to Success of Chinese athletes at the Paris Olympic Gamesnoting that they represent the dynamic and confident spirit of Chinese youth.

The president ended his message with a call for unity and perseverancestating that with effort and determination, we can overcome any challenge and wish a prosperous New Year in which every home in China is full of joy, peace and hope.

(With information from AFP, Reuters and EFE)