China's state and party leader Xi Jinping on Wednesday urged the country's ruling Communist Party to resolve what he called the "Taiwan question" and fight corruption.
Speaking on the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) at a ceremony in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi said that the party would unite "Taiwanese compatriots," take determined action against the "separatist forces" seeking Taiwan's independence and fend off interference from outside.
The tensions Beijing describes as the "Taiwan question" centre on binding the independently and democratically governed island to the People's Republic. The Communist Party sees Taiwan as a renegade part of Chinese territory.
Beijing repeatedly refers to the "One China" policy, meaning the assumption that there can be only one united territory.
Taiwan has been governed since 2016 by the Democratic Progressive Party, which Beijing regards as separatist because it supports independence for the island republic. President Lai Ching-te has so far not sought formal independence.
Xi calls for 'world-class' army
"A strong country needs a strong military," Xi said before leading Communist Party politicians and military representatives.
He called for the development of the People's Liberation Army into a "world-class army" by the year of its 100th anniversary in 2027.
The military is currently undergoing a major upheaval. Recently, numerous top generals were removed from their posts as part of Xi's anti-corruption campaign.
The 73-year-old also appealed to his comrades to continue the party's internal "fight against corruption."
