On November 12, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed a gathering at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to honor the 160th anniversary of the birth of Sun Yat- sen. “The best way for us to remember Dr. Sun is to emulate, inherit and carry forward his invaluable spirit, steadily advancing our endeavors to build a great country and rejuvenate our nation,” Xi said.

Sun, who overthrew the Qing Dynasty, and founded modern China, has long been revered on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. While separatist forces in Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have recently tried to downplay Sun, Xi sought to focus on his role as a unifying figure. “Dr. Sun always upheld national unity and ethnic solidarity, and resolutely opposed any word or act attempting to split the country and divide the nation,” Xi said.

In further reply to secessionist forces, Xi continued, “On the basis of adhering to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, we are willing to engage in dialogue and consultations with people of vision and insight from all sectors in Taiwan on matters related to cross-Strait relations and national reunification.