BEIJING, China: Chinese President Xi Jinping has renewed his call for Taiwan's reunification with China, saying it was an unavoidable historical goal. He called for a peaceful solution but did not mention the possibility of using force.

Taiwan rejected his remarks on Friday, saying its people would not accept Chinese rule.

China considers democratically governed Taiwan part of its territory, a claim strongly rejected by the island's government. Beijing has repeatedly proposed a "one country, two systems" arrangement, but no major political party in Taiwan supports the plan.

Speaking at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi described resolving the Taiwan issue as an important historical mission of China's Communist Party.

"The tide of history cannot be stopped," Xi said. "The complete reunification of the motherland must be realized, and it will certainly be realized."

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council rejected his comments, saying neither the Government nor the people of Taiwan would accept the "one country, two systems" proposal. The council said the arrangement would place the island under the authoritarian rule of China's Communist Party.

Council spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh told reporters that Xi's latest comments on reunification were largely similar to his earlier statements.

Xi made the remarks during a speech marking the 160th birth anniversary of Sun Yat-sen, the revolutionary leader who helped lead the 1911 uprising that ended centuries of imperial rule in China and established the Republic of China.

Xi said Beijing remained committed to peaceful reunification under the "one country, two systems" policy and was willing to hold talks with Taiwan while maintaining the one-China principle. Under Beijing's position, both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one country.

He also called on Chinese people, including those in Taiwan, to oppose forces seeking Taiwan's independence and support peaceful relations across the Taiwan Strait.

Although Xi did not mention military action, China has never ruled out using force to bring Taiwan under its control. Chinese military aircraft and warships regularly operate around the island, while Beijing has also been increasing its military presence in the Pacific.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said it had detected 29 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighter jets and drones, operating around the island on November 12. The aircraft were taking part in what Beijing described as a joint combat readiness patrol alongside Chinese warships.

Xi's speech came a week before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, where he is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump again. It also came just over two weeks before important local elections in Taiwan.

Last month, Taiwan urged its people to avoid Chinese events marking Sun Yat-sen's birth anniversary, accusing Beijing of presenting a distorted version of his life and political legacy.

China regards Sun as a national hero, patriot, and an important figure in the events that eventually led to the Communist revolution in 1949. That revolution forced the defeated Republic of China government to move to Taiwan, where it continues to operate.

Xi described Sun as a major figure in China's democratic revolution and said he had always supported national unity and opposed efforts to divide the country.

In Taiwan, Sun is officially recognized as the father of the nation, and his portrait hangs in the presidential office. However, his political philosophy, known as the Three Principles of the People, is no longer compulsory in school education.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te and his ruling Democratic Progressive Party support the island's separate identity from China. However, they have also adopted a stronger position on the historical role of the Republic of China.