In a recent speech commemorating the 130th birth anniversary of Mao Zedong, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his long-standing commitment to reunifying Taiwan with mainland China.

"The complete reunification of our motherland is an overall trend, a righteous cause, and the common aspiration of the people," Xi declared, as reported by the South China Morning Post. "Our motherland must be reunified, and it will surely be reunified."

Since the conclusion of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, Taiwan has functioned as an autonomous entity, complete with its own government, currency, and military. Despite this, Beijing has consistently asserted that Taiwan is an integral part of China. Xi has not ruled out the use of military force to achieve reunification, although he reportedly expressed to President Biden his preference for a peaceful annexation of the island.

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The United States has long adhered to the "One China" policy, which acknowledges Beijing's claim over Taiwan without officially recognizing it. However, the possibility of military intervention should China attempt to invade Taiwan has been implied by Washington officials.

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President Biden has on several occasions hinted at potential military action in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, although the White House has subsequently walked back some of these suggestions.

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"Yes, if in fact, there was an unprecedented attack," Biden confirmed during a September 2022 interview with CBS' "60 Minutes" when questioned about defending Taiwan.

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In his speech, Xi also praised Mao as a "spiritual treasure," despite the fact that Mao had Xi's father expelled from the Chinese Communist Party. Xi himself was sent to work in rural areas during the Cultural Revolution of the late 1960s, and only rejoined the CCP on his tenth attempt in the mid-1970s.

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With Taiwan's presidential elections scheduled for January, there are concerns among Western officials about potential interference from the CCP. The current President, Tsai Ing-wen, who is affiliated with the Democratic Progressive Party and supports Taiwanese nationalism and strong ties with the US, is ineligible for reelection due to term limits.