Xi Jinping Strengthens China's Taiwan Stance During National Day Celebrations
China marked the start of its seven-day National Day holiday with President Xi Jinping delivering a speech that emphasized a tougher stance on Taiwan. In his address, he called for cracking down on 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces and opposing external interference—language more forceful than in previous years. This comes after Xi's recent state visit to Washington, where he urged U.S. President Donald Trump to explicitly oppose Taiwan independence, signaling a shift from the traditional U.S. position. The speech aligns with broader geopolitical tensions between China and the United States over Taiwan, particularly as the Trump administration has paused arms sales to Taiwan and adopted a less supportive stance toward the self-ruled island in recent months. Analysts note that while speculation about such rhetoric had been ongoing for some time, this marked its first public articulation by Xi. The National Day celebrations also included traditional ceremonies honoring national heroes at Tiananmen Square and large crowds gathering to witness flag-raising events with military honors.
Topics: National Day holiday Taiwan policy U.S.-China relations Xi Jinping speech