Chinese leader Xi Jinping reiterated his pledge to achieve “reunification” with Taiwan on the eve of Communist China’s 75th birthday, as Beijing flexed its military might in the run-up to the national holiday.

For much of the past year since China reopened to the world following the Covid-19 pandemic, a pall has hung over large swathes of the country as its economy struggles to regain momentum.

Xi Jinping has claimed "no challenge can stop China" in a chest-thumping speech to mark the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese president also reiterated his vision for Chinese reunification with Taiwan during his address at a reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Xi Jinping reiterated his call for China to "reunite" with Taiwan, the self-ruled island China claims as its own, during an address on the eve of national holiday celebrations. Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te rejects China's claim on the island and Beijing in turn regards him as a "dangerous separatist".