China Increases Pressure for Taiwan Reunification with South African Support Ahead of G20 Summit

China has designated October 25 as the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration to reinforce its sovereignty claim over Taiwan, marking the end of Japanese colonial rule in 1945 and asserting Taiwan as an inalienable part of China. This new national observance underscores China's position that the postwar transfer of Taiwan from Japan to the Republic of China legally established Chinese sovereignty, a stance emphasized by China's ambassador to South Africa during a commemorative event supported by South African groups ahead of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. Meanwhile, Taiwan's government observes the same date as Retrocession Day but with a different political meaning, reflecting its evolution into a self-governing democracy. US President Donald Trump, ahead of a meeting with China's Xi Jinping, stated "Taiwan is Taiwan," suggesting limited discussion on the issue and denying concerns that Taiwan would be used as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations. Additionally, Beijing's engagement with Taiwan's Kuomintang party through its leader Cheng Li-wun signals efforts to maintain stable communication channels amid ongoing reunification pressures. These developments illustrate the complex and multifaceted dynamics surrounding Taiwan's status amid rising diplomatic and military pressures from China and cautious international responses.