Xi Jinping's Speech on CCP's 105th Anniversary: Scholars Say Policy Toward Taiwan Unchanged

(CNA Taipei, July 2) Chinese leader Xi Jinping delivered a speech concerning Taiwan during the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) 105th anniversary. Scholars believe that the CCP's major policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged. Compared to the speech on the party's centennial, the wording on "anti-Taiwan independence" has shifted from "resolutely crushing" to "resolutely combating."

The CCP's 105th anniversary celebration was held yesterday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where Xi Jinping delivered a speech of about 40 minutes. The Mainland Affairs Council stated that this was a reiteration of old tunes and called on Beijing to pragmatically face the cross-strait reality and mainstream Taiwanese public opinion, and to resolve differences through dialogue with Taiwan's democratically elected legitimate government without preconditions, thereby maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Chang Wu-yueh, director of the Cross-Strait Relations Research Center at Tamkang University, analyzed for CNA today that Xi Jinping's speech showed no change in the major policy toward Taiwan. Compared to Xi's speech on Taiwan during the CCP's centennial, it can be seen that the CCP's explanation of "anti-Taiwan independence" is clearer, shifting from "resolutely crushing any attempt at Taiwan independence" to "resolutely combating Taiwan independence separatist forces."

Chang Wu-yueh believes this signifies that the CCP's stance on "anti-Taiwan independence" has moved from a declaration of position to an emphasis on actual actions to combat it. China has previously used phrases such as "resolutely oppose Taiwan independence separatism" and "resolutely crush attempts at Taiwan independence." Since 2024, the phrase "resolutely combating Taiwan independence separatist forces" has been used, indicating a clearer stance on "anti-Taiwan independence" and a continuation of the CCP's psychological warfare, gray zone incursions, and legalistic "punishment of independence."

Xi Jinping's speech on Taiwan mentioned "opposing external forces' interference." Chang Wu-yueh frankly stated that from the phone call between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio yesterday, it can be seen that the Taiwan issue is the most important foundation for the "constructive and strategic stability relationship between the U.S. and China" after U.S. President Donald Trump's meeting with Xi in Beijing. Beijing demands that Washington take action to stabilize the relationship.

He said that Beijing is concerned about four major issues: the amount and items of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, the location and time of President Lai Ching-te's transit through the United States, the situation of high-level exchanges between the U.S. and Taiwan, and whether the U.S. will strengthen U.S.-Taiwan relations through legislative or administrative means. The U.S.'s handling of these four major issues will be a prerequisite for Beijing to evaluate the "constructive and strategic stability relationship between the U.S. and China."

Wang Hung-jen, a professor in the Department of Political Science at National Cheng Kung University, pointed out to CNA that Xi Jinping's speech outlines general principles and does not represent a major change in the major policy toward Taiwan. Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Wang Huning, will continue to focus on promoting "integrated development" toward Taiwan, employing a "soft approach"; Wang Yi will engage in international public opinion warfare, squeezing Taiwan's international space for activities.

He mentioned that Xi Jinping's speech referred to "opposing external forces' interference," which has been a key point emphasized by China in the past two years. "External forces" do not only refer to the United States but also include Japan and other countries friendly to Taiwan.

Wang Hung-jen analyzed that the reason China repeatedly emphasizes "opposing external forces' interference" is because China feels the international community's support for Taiwan and concern for the Taiwan Strait. For example, the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) issued a joint statement opposing the unilateral change of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait by force or coercion. These international "interferences" are not what Beijing welcomes.

In a portion of his speech on Taiwan yesterday, Xi Jinping declared, "Resolving the Taiwan question and achieving the complete reunification of the motherland is a historical mission that our party has always been committed to and the common aspiration of all Chinese people."

He claimed, "We must thoroughly implement the Party's overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, adhere to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, unite the vast number of Taiwan compatriots, deepen cross-strait exchanges, cooperation, and integrated development, resolutely combat Taiwan independence separatist forces, oppose external forces' interference, and steadfastly advance the great cause of national reunification." (Editor: Chiu Kuo-chiang) 1150702

Stand with the truth, your every donation is a force to protect press freedom.

Download the CNA "First-Hand News" APP to get the latest news in real-time.

The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.