Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulations with US President Joe Biden on the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, while also issuing a strong warning that the communist nation would “certainly be reunited” with Taiwan.
Xi said in his message that both countries have “weathered the storms and made overall progress,” which has enhanced the well-being of their peoples and contributed to world peace, stability and prosperity, the ministry statement said.
Xi called the formation of ties between China and the US “an important event” in the history of bilateral ties and in international relations.
The president also said China would “definitely reunite” with Taiwan during his televised New Year's address, reiterating Beijing's threats to take over the self-ruled island, which it considers its own.
Taiwan split from China during the 1949 civil war, but Beijing continues to view the island of 23 million people and its high-tech economy as Chinese territory and has stepped up its threat to achieve that with military force if necessary.
There will be a presidential election in the US in November, with former president and outspoken critic of China Donald Trump campaigning against Biden to return for a second term
Xi called the formation of ties between China and the US “an important event” in the history of bilateral ties and in international relations
In this file photo released by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense, the Taiwanese Navy ship Keelung, in the foreground, monitors a US-made Kidd Class destroyer, the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong, in the background, near Taiwanese waters in September 2023
“China will certainly be reunified, and all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common goal,” Xi said in his annual speech, according to the official Xinhua news agency.
Taiwanese citizens will go to the polls in two weeks to elect a new leader.
Relations between China and the US have been frosty, but Biden administration officials have visited Beijing and met with their counterparts to rebuild communication and trust in the months ahead of a high-stakes summit between Xi and Biden in San Francisco in November, which was considered a chance to cool off. tensions between the world's two largest economies.
Xi said the summit set the direction for ties between the two countries under a forward-looking vision.
“I am willing to work with President Biden to continue to guide and navigate the China-US relationship for the benefit of China and the US and the two peoples, and to advance the cause of world peace and development,” Xi said .
There will be a presidential election in the US in November, with former president and outspoken critic of China Donald Trump campaigning against Biden to return for a second term.
Xi also exchanged New Year messages with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and both announced that 2024 would be a “year of friendship” for both countries, launching a series of activities to that end, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said separately.
Xi said China is willing to work with North Korea to deepen strategic mutual trust, enhance exchanges and cooperation, promote greater bilateral ties and make new contributions to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
On New Year's Eve, the Chinese leader also exchanged greetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This year marks the 75th anniversary of China and Russia establishing diplomatic relations.
Russia's economic dependence on China has grown as the country becomes increasingly isolated and hit by sanctions, mainly from Western countries, since the invasion of Ukraine, a war that entered its third year in February.
Xi said China and Russia should “constantly consolidate” and develop ties that “characterize a permanent friendship of good neighborliness,” along with comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation that would serve the interests of both countries.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China by Mao Zedong, who defeated the Republic of China forces led by Chiang Kai-shek in a bloody civil war.
Mao proclaimed the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949, while Chiang's government fled into exile to Taiwan in December of that year. No peace treaty was ever signed to end the war and the Republic of China remains Taiwan's formal name.