The White House has approved an additional $567 million in U.S. military aid to Taiwan — the largest such aid package ever. Its approval came as Chinese authorities led celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke from Beijing.

President Xi Jinping: “Taiwan is a sacred territory of China, and the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are connected by blood, which is thicker than water.”

President Xi warned against “separatist activities” in Taiwan and said its reunification with China was inevitable.