BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping declared in his New Year’s address on Tuesday (Dec 31) that no one can prevent China’s "reunification" with Taiwan, issuing a firm warning to pro-independence forces both within and outside the island of 23 million people. Over the past year, Beijing has intensified military activities around Taiwan, frequently deploying warships and aircraft into the island’s surrounding waters and airspace. Taiwanese officials view these maneuvers as an attempt to "normalize" China's military presence in the region.

China considers Taiwan a part of its territory, but Taiwan's government rejects these claims, insisting that its future can only be determined by its people and urging Beijing to respect their choice. "The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. Our family bonds cannot be severed, and no one can halt the historical trend of national reunification," Xi said during his speech, broadcast on state-run CCTV.

In a similar address last year, Xi emphasized that Taiwan’s "reunification" with China was inevitable and called for unity, suggesting that people on both sides of the Strait should share a common purpose and the pride of China’s national rejuvenation. Tensions in the Taiwan Strait have remained high throughout the year, particularly after Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing considers a "separatist," assumed Taiwan's presidency in May. Earlier this month, China staged a large-scale naval operation around Taiwan and in the East and South China Seas, responding to Lai’s stopovers in Hawaii and Guam during a Pacific trip that drew sharp criticism from Beijing.

China, which has never ruled out the use of force to assert control over Taiwan, conducted two rounds of military drills near the island this year. Beijing characterized the exercises as warnings against "separatist acts" and pledged further actions if necessary. Meanwhile, U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, permitted under the Taiwan Relations Act, have added to the strain between Beijing and Washington. China has repeatedly cautioned the U.S. against maintaining military ties with Taiwan and has imposed sanctions on military contractors and executives involved in such deals.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.