Communist Party must ‘win the hearts’ of people in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan: Xi Jinping
- Chinese President Xi calls for strengthening patriotic and reunification forces in article to be published in key party magazine Qiushi
- Call follows victory of William Lai in Taiwanese presidential election, who says island already independent sovereign state
The Chinese Communist Party must “win the hearts” of people in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan by strengthening patriotic and reunification forces, President Xi Jinping said in an article to be published just days after an independence-leaning candidate was elected head of the self-ruled island.
The strategies for united front work for the three places were listed in the 12-point article written by Xi and set to be published by Qiushi, a magazine of the party’s Central Committee, on Tuesday.
“Do a good job in winning the hearts of Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and overseas,” Xi wrote. “Develop and strengthen the patriotic forces in Hong Kong and Macau, and enhance their national awareness and patriotism.”
He also wrote: “Develop and strengthen Taiwan’s patriotic, reunification forces. Oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities, and promote its complete reunification with the motherland.”
On Saturday, Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s William Lai Ching-te – branded a threat to peace by Beijing – won the presidential election, defeating Hou Yu-ih from the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang and Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party.