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Chinese President Xi Jinping vows to pursue 'reunification' with Taiwan

Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to pursue "reunification" with Taiwan by peaceful means in a speech in Beijing today.

Speaking in the Great Hall of the People to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the revolution that ended the country's last imperial dynasty, Mr Xi said the biggest obstacle to the reunification of China was the "Taiwan independence" force.

"Those who forget their heritage, betray their motherland and seek to split the country will come to no good," Mr Xi said.

READ MORE: Tony Abbott takes aim at China in Taiwan speech

Taiwan and mainland China have been governed separately since the end of a civil war more than seven decades ago, in which the defeated Nationalists fled to Taipei.

However, Beijing views Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory – even though the Chinese Communist Party has never governed the democratic island of about 24 million people.

Mr Xi's speech came a day ahead of the official anniversary of the Wuchang Uprising on October 10, which is celebrated as National Day in Taiwan.

Mr Xi said today he wanted to see peaceful reunification occur under a "one country two systems" policy, similar to that used in Hong Kong.

However, the system of government is generally opposed by Taiwan.

In his speech, Mr Xi added the Taiwan issue is one of internal affairs for China and "allows no interference from outside."

"People should not underestimate Chinese people's determination to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The task of complete reunification of China must be achieved, and it will definitely be achieved," he said.

The speech comes amid rising military tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Over four days in early October, the Chinese military flew almost 150 fighter jets, nuclear-capable bombers, anti-submarine aircraft and airborne early warning and control planes into Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone, according to the island's Defence Ministry.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said at a security forum in Taipei yesterday that although her government did not seek military conflict, "Taiwan will also do whatever it takes to defend its freedom and democratic way of life."

It came after Taiwan Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng told journalists on Wednesday that China could be capable of mounting a "full-scale" invasion of the island by 2025.

While Xi made no mention of the use of military force in his Saturday speech, he has previously refused to rule it out.

However his latest remarks were less inflammatory than comments he made on July 1 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party's founding, in which he vowed to "utterly defeat" any supporters of Taiwan independence.

headline

How you can buy a brand new home for just $115k

Prospective homeowners are closing the door on standard houses and turning to 'tiny homes' instead as a cheaper alternative amid Melbourne's skyrocketing housing prices.

The tiny homes look just like standard houses except they are smaller in size, coming with bedrooms, bathrooms, showers, lounges and in some cases even laundries – and cost a fraction of the price.

Owner of NJ Tiny Homes Nick Todd told 9News.com.au that since he started the business 18 months ago, the popularity for the properties had boomed.

READ MORE: Iconic convict-built cottage which once housed spies for sale

They start from $25,000 for simple pods and cost around $115,000 for larger houses.

As housing prices rise in Melbourne, prospective homeowners have been turning to the more affordable option now more than ever.

Melbourne's median house price soared past $1 million this year to $1,022,927.

"With the housing market these days, it's extremely hard out there for buyers to buy a house," Mr Todd said.

"If someone had a property already, the tiny house would cost around $115,000 -compare that to a normal traditional build – there's site costs, there's everything put on to that – I've just taken that right out."

READ MORE: Mortgage auctions taking off as homeowners try to get a better deal

Some of the houses are almost like fancy, large caravans on wheels, making them a winner for people who want to travel.

The prefabricated custom houses take five to eight weeks to be built off-site, where they are then installed on land in just a day.

"It's just a standard house but in a smaller version," Mr Todd said.

Paula Scully told 9News.com.au she had purchased three tiny homes for around $200,000 in total to use as holiday homes in Mallacoota in regional Victoria.

READ MORE: Melbourne mansion missing major features being sold for $7.7 million

She said one of the tiny homes could sleep as many as 10 people.

"We have three pods being built," she said.

"There's a main house being built that's got a loft and lounge area, kitchen and bathroom, and then we have another section for my kids which is a '10-bedroom pod' that sleeps 10 in it.

"We have a block of land in Mallacoota and they will be put there for the family to go to."

Ms Scully said she opted for the tiny homes instead of a traditional build due to their affordable price and "homely feel".

READ MORE: Chinese developer Fantasia can't pay its debts

"It was just homely, you can move them around if you want to, you can change them up, you can take them away.

"The good thing is they are on wheels so you can take them somewhere if you wanted to."

Mr Todd is giving away a free tiny home worth $25,000 to a frontline Victorian healthcare worker as a kind gesture of thanks for their hard work amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The worker would just need space outdoors for the tiny home to be installed. They could be used as an office or an outdoor retreat for them to destress, unwind and relax in.

"These frontline workers – we just need to look after them," Mr Todd said.

"I couldn't have a job like that and I take my hat off to them."