On Friday morning in Beijing, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, met with the visiting delegation of the Kuomintang led by Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen. Xi Jinping extended his welcome to Cheng Li-wen and her delegation. He pointed out that this meeting between the leaders of the two parties after a decade carries great significance for the development of inter-party and cross-strait relations. Compatriots on both sides of the strait all belong to the Chinese nation. The people of all ethnic groups, including compatriots in Taiwan, jointly created a unified multi-ethnic state, jointly wrote the brilliant history of China, jointly created the splendid Chinese civilization, and jointly nurtured a great national spirit. This has forged the shared conviction that the territory must not be divided, the country must not fall into chaos, the nation must not be scattered, and civilization must not be interrupted. This conviction guides the Chinese nation towards unceasing self-strengthening and ensures the continuity of Chinese civilization.
Xi Jinping emphasized that regardless of changes in the international situation or the situation in the Taiwan Strait, the overall trend of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will not change, nor will the trend of compatriots on both sides getting closer together. Compatriots on both sides of the strait all long for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, the improvement and development of cross-strait relations, and better lives. This is an unshirkable responsibility of both the KMT and the Communist Party, as well as their driving force for cooperation.
“We are willing, on the basis of the common political foundation of adhering to the '1992 Consensus' and opposing 'Taiwan independence,' to work together with all parties, groups, and people from all walks of life in Taiwan, including the Kuomintang, to strengthen exchanges and dialogue, seek peace across the strait, promote the welfare of compatriots, pursue national rejuvenation, and firmly put the future of cross-strait relations in the hands of the Chinese people.”
Xi Jinping put forward four proposals for the development of cross-strait relations:
First, to promote spiritual convergence with proper identification. Compatriots on both sides of the strait share the same roots, language, and blood, and form a community of shared destiny. In a family, as long as issues are discussed in a good manner, there are no conflicts that cannot be resolved. Differences in social systems are not an excuse for division. The two parties and compatriots across the strait must hold a national stance, inherit and promote Chinese culture, strengthen their identification with the Chinese nation, Chinese culture, and the great motherland, and enhance their confidence and backbone as dignified Chinese people.
Second, to safeguard our common home through peaceful development. The mainland and Taiwan both belong to one China. China is the shared home of the Chinese nation. Compatriots on both sides must safeguard and build this common home, and the fundamental lies in adherence to the '1992 Consensus' and opposition to 'Taiwan independence.' The core is the acknowledgment that both sides belong to one China. When the family is harmonious, all things prosper. We welcome any proposition or effort that is conducive to the peaceful development of cross-strait relations. “Taiwan independence” is the chief culprit threatening peace in the Taiwan Strait; we will never condone or tolerate it. Both parties and compatriots must uphold the national interest, oppose 'Taiwan independence' separatism and foreign interference, promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, and firmly defend the common home of the Chinese nation.”
Third, to enhance the people's wellbeing through exchanges and integration. The goal of developing cross-strait relations is to enable compatriots on both sides to lead better lives. We will continue to uphold the concept of “one family across the strait,” and actively do practical work and solve difficulties for Taiwan compatriots. The motherland is vast and has broad markets. Taiwan compatriots are welcome to come home often, Taiwan youth are welcome to come to the mainland for exchange and development, and Taiwan's agricultural, fishery, and quality products are welcome to enter thousands of households on the mainland. Both parties and compatriots should jointly expand exchanges, interaction, and integration to enhance the kinship and wellbeing of compatriots on both sides.
Fourth, to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through unity and hard work. This year marks the 160th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen’s birth. The rejuvenation of China and national unification were his lifelong pursuits. “Today, we have successfully embarked on a path to Chinese-style modernization, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable. We are confident that more and more Taiwan compatriots will correctly comprehend the mainland's social system and development path, and deeply realize that Taiwan's future lies in a strong motherland, and that the wellbeing of Taiwan compatriots is closely linked to national rejuvenation. This year marks the start of the mainland’s 15th Five-Year Plan. We are willing to share development opportunities and achievements with Taiwan compatriots, and jointly strengthen the economy of the Chinese nation. Both parties should consolidate political mutual trust, maintain healthy interaction, unite compatriots on both sides, and work hand in hand to create a bright future for national reunification and rejuvenation.”
Cheng Li-wen stated that people on both sides of the strait are descendants of Yan and Huang, belong to the Chinese nation, are nurtured by Chinese culture, are all Chinese, and are one family. They should work together to realize what Sun Yat-sen proposed—to rejuvenate China. Both parties must adhere to the common political foundation of the “1992 Consensus” and opposition to “Taiwan independence,” strengthen political mutual trust, play the role of a communication platform, be committed to the preservation of Chinese history, promote Chinese culture, advance exchanges and cooperation in people-to-people, grassroots, economic, trade, cultural, and other fields, support youth exchange and development, enhance people's common well-being, promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, create a better future for cross-strait relations, and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.