Chinese President Xi Jinping warns Taiwan | #EuronewsNow

#EuronewsNow | Chinese President Xi Jinping has given a stark warning over Taiwan, saying independence would be a 'disaster' and reunification with China is 'inevitable'.

@SandforAlasdair joins us in studio with more on this story.

[DZ]

Taiwan Currently has FREEDOM and DEMOCRACY, so let them be.

[leonl]

for those who dont know a thing about china history, taiwan whose official name is REPUBLIC OF CHINA is absolutly a part of china . to make it clear, mainland china( govern by PROC) was a part of ROC before 1949 and now china has divided into two parts.PROC(china) and ROC (taiwan) share the territory of china. mainland is known as "china (PROC)"and ROC IS known as taiwan. IF america's civil war is justified, china unifying taiwan is also justified.

[ADof]

It never fails to amaze me that how little some people know about China and how eager they want to point finger s at China’s domestic affairs. Also I’m sick of most Western media’s quoting voices from China without full context. If you look at this seriously and have some knowledge in history, you’ll find that Xi delivered this speech very sincerely and it absolutely wasn’t a warning. To those who say ‘let the Taiwanese people decide’, I wonder whether UK will let Falkland islanders decide and US would let Islanders of Guam do the same. Not a hope people because sovereignty is NOT negotiable.

[PaulLee-frld]

I think if China have eligibility ensures all unchanged in Taiwan, in the way that China unites with Taiwan will be absolutely accepted by all walks of life in Taiwan.

[ShaoTingChang]

I don't understand why KMT losing the civil war to CCP have anything to do with Taiwan. KMT never actually had legitimate sovereignty over Taiwan after WII. On the Cairo Conference, the allies only agreed on letting the KMT army to "temporarily" take control of Taiwan for the sake of peaceful "transition". No treaty involved in ceding Taiwan was ever signed between KMT and Japan.
Therefore, many Taiwanese feel that the KMT too doesn't have the legitimacy to rule over Taiwan.
If CCP wants Taiwan, come and get it. Nothing wrong with that. That's what imperialists do. You shouldn't be afraid to admit it.
But don't make false claim saying that Taiwan had always been part of China.
Taiwan was never a part of any regime in the past 400 years of written history. The Dutch, Koxinga, Qing Dynasty, Japan, and KMT are all colonists. 
Taiwan is an island in which aboriginals from the Austronesia have been living for thousands of years before the Chinese came and still are living right now. Accordingly, our culture is a mixture of several different ethnic groups rather than just Chinese. It is unwise to oversimplify the relationship between people from both side as the relationship between Chinese and Chinese.
Taiwan should be independently ruled by a regime that has direct connection with the soil of Taiwan rather than a foreign government. Based on our multi-ethnic demographic composition, our distinctive political system, and most importantly, our love for the island itself where we are nurtured, we identify ourself as Taiwanese rather than Chinese.

[jimwong]

Taiwanese (not an ethnic group) and Chinese we are brothers! Miserably we get two governments because of civil war! But for sure our motherland will be reunified! Peaceful reunification needs time!
Deng xiaoping's one country two systems actually give people across the strait multiple choices in the future China reunification: (1). socialism with Chinese characteristics, mainly in Mainland. (2). capitalism with western characteristics, mainly in Taiwan. (3). after engagement for some time, hybrid socialism and capitalism to a Chinese characteristics democracy society for the unified China. This is the most realistic solution for China reunification and should be welcomed by all Chinese!
Buddha bless Chinese Nation and China!

[强哥熊熊]

Taiwan's constitution says their territory includes mainland China, Mongolia and myanmar. I think that's why Taiwan should be punished

[CEKCooking]

We Taiwanese are currently unable to establish our own interim government. Therefore, the statement 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen has made, reacting to the speech that Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered on the 2nd of Jan., is revealing the strong volition of people on Taiwan.

As a resident of Taiwan, I solemnly declare that I am no Chinese! Those who live in Taiwan and choose to be Chinese, they have 100% freedom to immigrate to China.

Many residents here share the same thoughts like me. We urge the international community to support Taiwan’s inhabitants to stay away from China’s aggressive ambitions and the Pro-China power within Taiwan.

[NightcorEDM]

I wouldn't want to live in taiwan those earthquakes are hella scary

[sammie]

I think most Asian community are sick and tired of hearing about Taiwan on every news issue and problems. I think its time for Taiwan to just give up because they are alone and a gypsy of Asia.

[杨光牧]

Taiwan wastes too much time in putting self-esteem far ahead of practical political/economic calculation. If I were a Taiwanese, I would ride on Beijing's rising stature to carve out a much bigger space for its people, economically and politically. Declare Taiwan as part of China and maintain its quasi-independent institutions only take Taiwanese to trade MINOR abrasion of self-esteem for much BIGGER returns. That's way better than wait and sit idle while being cornered to a slow death by Beijing's shrewd tactics.

[韓覽焦]

President Tsai issues statement on China's President Xi's "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan"
2019-01-02
President Tsai Ing-wen, on the afternoon of January 2 in the Presidential Office auditorium, explained the Taiwan government's position on a speech delivered by China's President Xi Jinping (習近平) commemorating the 40th anniversary of the so-called "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan."

A translation of the president's full remarks is as follows:

My fellow citizens and friends from the media, good afternoon.

This morning, China's President Xi Jinping delivered a speech commemorating the 40th anniversary of the so-called "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan, " proposing further exploration of a "one country, two systems" scenario for Taiwan. As president of the Republic of China, I want to explain our position.

First, I must emphasize that we have never accepted the "1992 Consensus." The fundamental reason is because the Beijing authorities' definition of the "1992 Consensus" is "one China" and "one country, two systems." The speech delivered by China's leader today has confirmed our misgivings. Here, I want to reiterate that Taiwan absolutely will not accept "one country, two systems." The vast majority of Taiwanese also resolutely oppose "one country, two systems, " and this opposition is also a "Taiwan consensus."

Next, we are willing to engage in negotiations. But as Taiwan is a democratic country, all political consultations and negotiations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait must be authorized and monitored by the people of Taiwan, and conducted on a government-to-government basis by both sides. Under this principle, no individual or group has the right to represent the people of Taiwan to conduct political consultations or negotiations.

The development of cross-strait relations, as I said very clearly in my new year's talk yesterday, requires that: China must face the reality of the existence of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and not deny the democratic system that the people of Taiwan have established together; second, must respect the commitment of the 23 million people of Taiwan to freedom and democracy, and not foster divisions and offer inducements to interfere with the choices made by the people of Taiwan; third, must handle cross-strait differences peacefully, on the basis of equality, instead of using suppression and intimidation to get Taiwanese to submit; fourth, it must be governments or government-authorized agencies that engage in negotiations. Any political consultations that are not authorized and monitored by the people cannot be called "democratic consultations." This is Taiwan's position, a democratic position.

We are willing, on the basis of "consolidating democracy" and "strengthening national security, " to conduct orderly, healthy cross-strait exchanges. I also want to reiterate that domestically, we need to set up a three-part security network for cross-strait exchanges comprised of security for people's livelihoods, information security, and an institutionalized democracy monitoring mechanism.

Cross-strait trade and economic relations should be mutually beneficial, and promote mutual prosperity and development. However, we oppose Beijing making "benefitting China" its core focus, using United Front economic means including financial inducements to attract Taiwan technology, capital, and talent to move to mainland China. We will vigorously promote strategies and measures that strengthen Taiwan to consolidate a Taiwan-centric, Taiwan-first path to economic development.

Over the past two years, Taiwan has faithfully fulfilled its duty as a member of the regional community, actively contributing to cross-strait and regional peace and stability. We do not provoke, but uphold our principles. We have suffered many forms of suppression, but have never abandoned our fundamental position and commitments regarding cross-strait relations. I want to remind the Beijing authorities that a superpower must act with the demeanor and take the responsibility of a superpower, and international society is watching China to see if it can make changes and become a trustworthy partner. The "four musts" are the most basic and crucial foundations that will determine whether cross-strait relations develop in a positive direction.

A so-called "spiritual union" should be built on mutual respect and understanding, with governments on both sides of the strait handling issues regarding the people's welfare pragmatically, such as the urgent swine fever epidemic we are now facing. Pressuring international corporations to change their designation for Taiwan won't bring about a spiritual union, nor will buying off Taiwan's diplomatic allies or circling Taiwan with military aircraft and naval vessels.

Lastly, I want to reiterate that the results of the 9-in-1 elections absolutely do not mean that grassroots public opinion in Taiwan favors abandoning our sovereignty, nor do they mean that the people want to make concessions regarding Taiwanese identity.

Democratic values are the values and way of life that Taiwanese cherish, and we call upon China to bravely move towards democracy. This is the only way they can truly understand Taiwanese people's ideas and commitments. Thank you.

[hasaki_oce]

China: one country, two systems.
US: all countries, one system.

[杨光牧]

Taiwan to Beijing is what Crimea to Russia. One way or another, the stronger stands to win in a world of jungle. Better to negotiate a better deal with Beijing as early as possible, before the dragon's patience wears thin.

[RemusBP]

We had theses things in Germany 70 years ago. It turned out super bad.

[petertonnard]

KEEP THE GREAT, GREAT, WORK UP ' CHINA '.

[ngyoklam]

Taiwan president must make peace with China.

[kemparo]

all countries in asia should unite as one super country. when the westerner and european ask where you from, just said I'm from asia. hahahah

[hanhan]

Do you guys know the official name of Taiwan?
It’s Republic of China. It is written in the constitution.
Xi is right. The Chinas must be unified. But the problem is in which way? Now the People’s Republic of China is giving Republic of China an offer, in a peaceful way.
What’s the problem?

[CyichinC]

Let Taiwan be Taiwan! Democracy rules!