Xi Jinping says Taiwan reunification inevitable in New Year address

Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his New Year's address on Wednesday, said that the reunification of Taiwan with China is "inevitable." He also highlighted the construction of the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra River, while mentioning the country's growing defense capabilities. In his 2026 New Year's message, broadcast on national television, Xi said that there are blood and family ties between the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Spoke of Taiwan's Unification

He said, "The reunification of our motherland is a demand of the times and cannot be stopped." This statement comes as China has intensified its military activities around the self-governing island of Taiwan over the past three days. China considers Taiwan part of its mainland territory. Xi also highlighted the country's progress in the economic, defense, and technology sectors.

Mentioned the Dam on the Brahmaputra River

He said, "Construction has begun on the hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River)." China has formally begun construction of a $170 billion dam on the Brahmaputra River in the ecologically sensitive Tibet region, near the Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh. Concerns have been raised in India and Bangladesh, the downstream countries, regarding the potential for flooding due to this project.