Taiwan president says people will determine relationship with China after Xi says it will reunify

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday said that the Taiwanese people will determine the country's relationship with China as she seeks a "peaceful coexistence" with the Asian country after Chinese President Xi Jinping said China "will inevitably be reunified" with the self-governing island.

Tsai expressed hope in her 2024 New Year's address that Taiwan and China will have a stable relationship. "We also hope, by way of peace, parity, democracy, and dialogue, to jointly seek a long-term, stable way forward for our peaceful coexistence," she said, according to her office, ahead of the country's Jan. 13 election.

"The most important thing ... is to comply with the principles of democracy and make decisions based on the common will of the Taiwanese people. After all, we are a democratic country," Tsai also said, as translated. "What kind of relationship we will form with China in the future must be decided through [a] democratic process."

Xi claimed last week that the "great cause and the aspiration of the people" is to reunite Taiwan with China, as Beijing believes Taiwan is a rogue province that it will eventually reunify with.

As threats from China have increased against Taiwan in recent years, Tsai also said Monday that "strength is crucial" and Taiwan must be able to defend itself.

"We must show staunch determination, protect our free and democratic way of life, and reinforce the global belief that Taiwan is not an expendable member, but rather one that plays a key role in, and is essential to, global peace and democracy," she also said.

Tsai is ineligible to run for this upcoming election, as she has served two consecutive terms since 2016.

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