[Correspondent Diary] 100th Anniversary vs 110th Anniversary of the Sinhehyeokmyung

Chinese Communist Party Achieves 'Revival' Inspired by Sun Yat-sen Spirit... Confidence from Economic Growth
Strong Tone Toward Taiwan, Warning "Traitors to the Motherland Will Surely Be Judged"

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] "Achieving reunification through peaceful means is most in line with the fundamental interests of all Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan. Let us join hands and contribute to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."

Ten years ago in 2011, Chinese President Hu Jintao said this in his speech commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution. It was a call to end hostility between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait (China and Taiwan) and to heal past wounds. Although the fundamental goal of absorbing Taiwan into reunification has not changed, the significance lies in extending a hand.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the '110th anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution' event ten years later, China's top leader showed a fist. President Xi Jinping warned in his commemorative speech, "Those who betray the motherland and split the country have never had a good end. They will surely be abandoned by the people and judged by history."

Chinese media interpreted this statement as a clear and strong message to foreign forces supporting or encouraging Taiwan's separatism (independence) and to Taiwan separatists themselves.

This message is widely analyzed as being particularly aimed at the United States. In fact, President Xi said, "The Taiwan issue is entirely China's internal affair, and no external interference will be tolerated. No one should underestimate the firm determination, will, and strong capability of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity." He added, "The history of complete reunification of the motherland is a mission and will undoubtedly be realized."

In his speech that day, President Xi used the word 'rejuvenation' 25 times. The state-run Xinhua News Agency evaluated that Dr. Sun Yat-sen, who led the Xinhai Revolution, ended China's weak feudal era under the slogan of Chinese rejuvenation. It also stated that the Chinese Communist Party has inherited Sun Yat-sen's spirit. The CCP claims to be the successor of Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary spirit and has strived to realize his great ideals.

However, China's past evaluation of the Xinhai Revolution is somewhat different. China has regarded the Xinhai Revolution as an anti-colonial and anti-feudal revolution but ultimately a failure. The view that the Xinhai Revolution was a bourgeois democratic revolution was more prevalent. The founding father of the People's Republic of China is not Sun Yat-sen but Mao Zedong.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Global Times claimed that the Chinese Communist Party is Sun Yat-sen's most steadfast supporter and partner, and that China's complete reunification will be realized along with national rejuvenation. This is interpreted as a warning not to entertain futile dreams such as independence, since the CCP will realize Sun Yat-sen's spirit of rejuvenation.

Pengpai also reported an interview with Wang Zhuyang, Sun Yat-sen's great-grandson. He expressed agreement with President Xi's speech that those who betray the motherland and split the country have never had a good end and will surely be abandoned by the people and judged by history. He emphasized that China must not be divided. He added that Sun Yat-sen is a pioneer respected by people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and a common denominator for both sides. If Sun Yat-sen's ideals and thoughts are realized step by step, the two sides will naturally achieve peaceful reunification.

President Xi's commemorative speech for the 110th anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution reflects the confidence of China's economy, which has risen to the ranks of the world's two largest economies (G2). It shows confidence that the Chinese Communist Party has achieved rejuvenation, which is the spirit and legacy of Sun Yat-sen. Such confidence was not present in former President Hu's 100th anniversary speech.

Another notable feature is that the stance toward Taiwan has shifted to a much tougher tone. It appears that the standoff among the United States, Taiwan, and China over the Taiwan Strait will continue for a considerable period.