The CCP's Taiwan Policy after the Centenary

The Global Taiwan Institute (GTI) is pleased to invite you to a virtual seminar on the Chinese Communist Party’s Taiwan policy after the centenary. For decades, China has framed its efforts to rein in Taiwan as fundamentally peaceful. Despite its harsh rhetoric, Beijing consistently insisted that its goal was to reach a “peaceful reunification” with Taipei. However, as the past several years have demonstrated, this is no longer the case. Amid the ongoing collapse of “Once Country, Two Systems” in Hong Kong and Beijing’s growing belligerence in the Taiwan Strait, it is increasingly clear that China intends to take a hardline approach to both Taiwan and the region as a whole. This more aggressive strategy was plainly outlined by Chinese President Xi Jinping in his July 1 speech marking the 100th anniversary of the CCP, in which he stated that that those who challenge China “will find their heads bashed bloody.” Now, as the CCP enters its second century of existence, what will its approach to Taiwan look like? As Xi works to solidify his legacy, what lengths will he go to in order to incorporate Taiwan? How will rising nationalism and hardening domestic views towards Taiwan impact Beijing’s decision making?