Taiwan and China will 'surely be reunified' says Xi in New Year's Eve address - BBC News

The Chinese leader's New Year's Eve message comes just weeks ahead of Taiwan's crucial general election.

9 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, EPAImage caption, President Xi struck a more strident tone on Taiwan in his annual New Year's Eve addressBy Yvette TanBBC News Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his annual New Year's Eve address, reiterated his claim that Taiwan would "surely be reunified" with China.

His message comes ahead of Taiwan's crucial 13 January elections that will determine the island's cross-strait policy for the next four years.

He also struck a stronger tone than last year's message, where he spoke of Taiwan being part of the "same family".

China has ramped up military pressure on Taiwan ahead of the elections.

It sees the self-ruled island of 23 million as a breakaway province that will eventually be under Beijing's control. Taiwan considers itself distinct from the Chinese mainland, with its own constitution and democratically elected leaders.

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