Reunification is not a necessary prerequisite to rejuvenation

CHINESE leader Xi Jinping's report to the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China drew international attention to China's vision of its emergence as a "great modern socialist country" by the middle of the century.

But little attention has been focused on what Mr Xi considers to be a prerequisite for realising the rejuvenation of the nation. This prerequisite is the "reunification" of the country or, in other words, the absorption of Taiwan into the People's Republic of China.

The theme of the congress, according to Mr Xi, was to "remain true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind". That is to say, the party must abide by its founders' views when it was established in 1921. From the very beginning, Mr Xi said, "Our party was deeply aware that, to achieve national rejuvenation, it was critical to topple the three mountains of imperialism, feudalism and bureau-capitalism that were oppressing the Chinese people and realise China's independence, the people's liberation, national reunification and social stability."