On the morning of October 9, China held a meeting to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Revolution of 1911. Xi Jinping, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of China, attended the meeting and delivered a speech, releasing the latest signal on the Taiwan issue and vowing to realize the “historical task of the complete reunification of the motherland.”
Xi Jinping said that the “Taiwan independence” split is the biggest obstacle to the reunification of the motherland and a serious hidden danger to national rejuvenation. “Anyone who forgets his ancestors, betrays the motherland, or splits the country by counting the verses will never end well, and will be spurned by the people and judged by history!”
This is also the first time Xi Jinping has made a clear statement on the situation in the Strait since 150 Chinese military aircraft entered the Taiwan Air Defense Identification Zone from October 1 to 4, which has attracted much attention. However, Xi Jinping did not directly mention the use of force to reunify Taiwan in his speech.
Taiwan’s Presidential Office spokesperson Zhang Dunhan immediately responded that the Republic of China is a sovereign and independent country, not part of the People’s Republic of China, and the future of the country is in the hands of the people of Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Executive Yuan Su Zhenchang said that the Chinese Communist Party has “stretched its muscles” in the surrounding areas, which has made the region very nervous. This is why countries that believe in freedom, democracy, and human rights, based on the same ideals and values, work together and repeatedly warn China not to Should invade Taiwan.
“The Successor of Sun Yat-sen”
On October 10, 1911, an uprising broke out in Wuchang, China, which overthrew the rule of the Qing Dynasty and established the Republic of China, known as the Revolution of 1911.
To this day, October 10 is regarded as the “Remembrance Day of the Revolution of 1911” in the People’s Republic of China, and the Republic of China (that is, Taiwan) on the other side of the strait is regarded as the “National Day.”
On both sides of the Taiwan Strait, the two regimes generally accepted Sun Yat-sen’s historical contributions, calling him the “father of the nation” or “revolutionary pioneer.”
In his speech on the 9th, Xi Jinping pointed out the limitations of the Revolution of 1911. He stated that due to the constraints of the historical process and social conditions, and the failure to find the correct path and leadership to solve the problem of China’s future and destiny, the Revolution of 1911 did not change the semi-colonial and semi-feudal social nature of the old China and the tragic situation of the Chinese people, and did not complete the realization of the nation. The historical task of independence and the liberation of the people.
Xi Jinping said in his speech that the Communist Party and the Kuomintang cooperated. He stated that at the beginning of its establishment, the Communist Party of China proposed an anti-imperialist and anti-feudal democratic revolution program, and cooperated with the Kuomintang led by Mr. Sun Yat-sen to help the Kuomintang reorganize and establish the most extensive revolutionary united front, “set off a vigorous revolution and gave the Beiyang warlords a reactionary rule. With a heavy blow.”
“The Chinese Communists are the most steadfast supporters, most loyal collaborators, and most loyal successors of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary cause… After the death of Mr. Sun Yat-sen, the Chinese Communists inherited his last wishes and shared all those who were loyal to him. The people of the cause continued to struggle and continued to realize and develop the great ambitions of Mr. Sun Yat-sen and the pioneer of the Revolution of 1911.”
However, Taiwan’s Premier Su Zhenchang stated on October 9 that the People’s Republic of China was not established until 1949. The Revolution of 1911 established the Republic of China. China and the Communist Party of China cannot even plunder the beauty of the Republic of China and the Chinese Kuomintang.” History cannot be distorted”.
The Mainland Affairs Commission also criticized that the CCP has consistently highlighted the legitimacy of its legitimacy by holding up Dr. Sun Yat-sen but denying the success of the Revolution of 1911 and the existence of the Republic of China. This is a one-sided distortion of historical facts, emphasizing Dr. Sun Yat-sen and countless revolutions. Martyrs founded the Republic of China.
Taiwan’s Presidential Office spokesperson Zhang Dunhan said that what was established by the Revolution of 1911 110 years ago was a democratic republic, not authoritarian dictatorship, but it is truly realized in Taiwan today. He said that the current situation in Hong Kong not only proves that China’s abandonment of its “50-year unchanged” promise, but also proves that “one country, two systems” is not feasible. The mainstream public opinion in Taiwan is clear that it rejects “one country, two systems” and defends our democratic and free way of life.
However, it is worth noting that the current Taiwan government is also playing down the “Republic of China” created by the Revolution of 1911. In September of this year, the National Day Preparatory Committee of Taiwan released the main visual of the National Day “Golden Double Ten”. In addition to the words “Democratic League, World Friends”, there is also the English “TAIWAN NATIONAL DAY 2021” (Taiwan National Day 2021) below the logo.
This move caused a wave of critics of “de-sinicization”. The Kuomintang criticized the DPP government’s National Day-related activities that led to the “disappearance” of the national title and national flag, and the Republic of China was once again reduced to a supporting role.
A tougher stand
China does not hold an official large-scale celebration ceremony on October 10th every year. Instead, it celebrates the tenth anniversary every year, and a “commemorative meeting” is usually held on the day before the official commemoration day.
The last celebration ceremony was on October 9, 2011, when China held the “Meeting to Commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Revolution of 1911.” When Hu Jintao, the then General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President of the State, delivered a speech, there were also statements concerning Taiwan–
“Mr. Sun Yat-sen once said,’Reunification is the hope of all Chinese citizens. If it is possible to reunify, the people of the whole country will enjoy the blessings; if there is no reunification, then they will suffer.’ To achieve reunification in a peaceful way is most in line with all Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots. Fundamental interests.”
“We must firmly grasp the theme of the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, strengthen the common political foundation for opposing’Taiwan independence’ and adhering to the ’92 Consensus,’ promote close exchanges and cooperation between compatriots on both sides of the strait, share the fruits of the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, enhance cross-strait economic competitiveness, and promote The outstanding traditions of Chinese culture have strengthened the national identity of sharing weal and woe, constantly solved various problems on the way forward, ended cross-strait confrontation, healed historical wounds, and worked together to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”
At that time, Taiwan completed a round of party rotation. In 2008, the Kuomintang, which agreed with the “92 Consensus”, was in power. Ma Ying-jeou came to power to start the “honeymoon period” of cross-strait exchanges. Prior to this, the Kuomintang chairman Lien Chan visited the mainland in 2005 to start an “ice-breaking journey”. Since then, by October 2011, Lien Chan and Hu Jintao had met nine times.
Ten years later, when Xi Jinping spoke about Taiwan, he also quoted Sun Yat-sen’s words, “‘Reunification is the hope of all Chinese citizens. If there is reunification, the people of the whole country will enjoy the blessings; if there is no reunification, they will suffer.”
But he also has a stronger statement-
“The Taiwan issue arises from the weak and chaotic nation, and it will definitely be resolved with national rejuvenation… The split of’Taiwan independence’ is the biggest obstacle to the reunification of the motherland and a serious hidden danger to national rejuvenation. Anyone who forgets the ancestors, betrays the motherland, or splits the country. People who have never ended well, will be spurned by the people and judged by history!”
“The Taiwan issue is purely China’s internal affairs and does not allow any outside interference. No one should underestimate the Chinese people’s strong determination, firm will, and strong ability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity! The historical task of the complete reunification of the motherland must be achieved, and it will definitely be achieved. !”
He reiterated that the CCP hopes for peaceful reunification, including adhering to the “one country, two systems,” “one China principle,” and the “92 Consensus.” However, these statements have been criticized by Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, who believes that these statements are premised to dwarf Taiwan.
Against the background of Sino-U.S. antagonism, the situation across the Taiwan Strait has become increasingly severe. From October 1 to 4 this year, within four days, nearly 150 Chinese military aircraft entered the Taiwan Air Defense Identification Zone. The number and frequency are unprecedented.
The MAC believes that Beijing will not abandon the use of force against Taiwan, criticize the CCP’s rigid Taiwan policy for failing to assess the situation, lack of response to international developments, and ignore the doubts and opposition of the Taiwan people. It calls on the Beijing authorities to abandon provocative measures to invade and destroy Taiwan.
Su Zhenchang said, “The Communist Party of China has expanded its muscles in the surrounding areas and has made the region very tense. This is why countries that believe in freedom, democracy, and human rights, based on the same ideals and values, cooperate together, and have repeatedly warned that China should not invade Taiwan. Pay attention to the peace and stability of the entire region. We will also unite and strengthen ourselves to protect the country and the people.”
The results of three polls conducted by the Election Research Center of National Chengchi University after the 2020 general election showed that “preferred to Taiwan independence” has 27.7% support, which is the “highest in the past 30 years.”