In response to the recent unification remarks by Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平), the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that it is clear the Chinese government does not understand what the Taiwanese people want.
Xi called for a complete unification of the motherland during his speech at a state banquet in celebration of China's 74th National Day. According to Xi, unification is the aspiration of the people, a trend of the times and an inevitable historical necessity which cannot be stopped by any force.
Answering media inquiries on the matter, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jeff Liu (劉永健) said that while Xi has voiced his hope for unification with Taiwan numerous times, it is clear that he does not understand their aspirations.
Liu says that the Taiwanese people are committed to peace and democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law. Liu countered Xi’s remarks by saying that the values of freedom, peace, democracy and rule of law are the trajectory of human civilization. He suggests that China should move towards this direction as well.