On top of the economic cautioning, Chinese leader Xi Jinping added another layer to his New Year message: a fresh warning for Taiwan.
Calling the “reunification” of Taiwan and China “inevitable.”
The comments come less than two weeks before voters on the self-ruled island elect a new leader.
The Chinese Communist Party claims Taiwan as its own territory despite never having ruled it.
Here’s what Taiwan’s President said in her last New Year address on Monday:
“What is the future of cross-strait relations? I think it should be consistent with the principles of democracy. That is, finding the joint will of Taiwan’s people in order to make a decision. After all, we are a democratic country. As for what course to follow in relations with China, we have to follow the democratic process,” Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said.