In a recent year-end address, Chinese leader Xi Jinping reiterated his commitment to the reunification of Taiwan with mainland China. The statement comes at a time of heightened tensions between the two entities, with Taiwanese voters preparing to participate in the upcoming elections on January 13th.

Xi has consistently affirmed China's position that Taiwan is an integral part of the nation and must be reunified, even if it requires the use of force. "All Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," Xi stated during his address.

This is not the first time Xi has addressed the Taiwan issue recently, having also emphasized the reunification during a symposium in Beijing commemorating the 130th anniversary of Mao Zedong's birth, the founding father of Communist China. "The complete reunification of the motherland is an irresistible trend," Xi proclaimed during the event, further highlighting China's determination to prevent any attempts to divide the two sides.

Meanwhile, anticipation is growing in Taiwan as residents gear up for the upcoming elections. Current opinion polls suggest that the majority of residents may favor the independence-leaning candidate, Lai Ching-te.

China has consistently objected to any international indication of Taiwan's independence. In 2022, Xi's military conducted a series of live-fire exercises around the island following a visit by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

The history between Taiwan and mainland China traces back to 1949 when democratic forces fled to the island after losing a civil war against the Chinese Communist Party. Since then, Taiwan has maintained its own government and political system, separate from mainland China.

As tensions continue to escalate between the two entities, the outcome of the upcoming elections in Taiwan will play a significant role in shaping the future of relations between Taiwan and mainland China.