Updated

China's President Xi Jinping is making a strong call for unity among all Chinese people amid political turmoil in Hong Kong and rising independence sentiment in self-governing Taiwan.

Xi spoke Friday on the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sun Yat-sen, China's first president and the godfather of Chinese nationalism, who continues to command broad respect within China and the Chinese diaspora.

Speaking to an audience at the colossal Great Hall of the People in central Beijing, Xi again called on Taiwan's leaders to endorse the principle that the island and mainland China are parts of a single Chinese nation. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has refused to make such a concession.

Beijing has also registered alarm over anti-China sentiment in Hong Kong among newly elected members of its legislative council.