Xi Jinping rings in New Year with renewed vow to conquer Taiwan

Chinese General Secretary Xi Jinping pledged during his annual New Year’s Eve speech in Beijing to bring Taiwan under control of the Chinese Communist Party. The speech came just as China concluded its “Justice Mission 2025” military drills at locations around Taiwan, with its forces operating closer to the island than in any previous exercises. It also follows a Pentagon report published last month saying China will attain the military capacity to capture Taiwan by the end of 2027. Xi’s speech made clear that he feels emboldened by the gains of his ally Russian President Vladimir Putin against Ukraine and by the decision of the United States not to halt Putin’s imperialism. “The reunification of our motherland, a trend of the times, is unstoppable,” he said. The Trumpet maintains that due to America’s weak will, the Chinese Communist Party will make good on its pledge to seize Taiwan.