Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping, when meeting with KMT Chairman Cheng Li-wen, stated that regardless of changes in the international situation or the situation in the Taiwan Strait, the irresistible trend of compatriots on both sides of the Strait visiting each other, getting close, and coming together will not change. The Mainland is willing, on the basis of the 1992 Consensus and opposition to Taiwan independence, to strengthen interactions with the KMT and other political parties in Taiwan, firmly placing cross-strait relations in the hands of the Chinese people themselves.
On Friday (April 10) at 11:00 am, Xi Jinping met with Cheng Li-wen at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, with the two shaking hands for 14 seconds. According to a live broadcast by TVBS News Network, Xi Jinping made the above remarks at the start of his speech.
Xi Jinping said that compatriots on both sides of the Strait are all part of the Chinese nation. Including Taiwanese compatriots, people of all ethnic groups jointly expanded the vast territory of the motherland, jointly built a unified multi-ethnic country, jointly wrote the brilliant history of China, jointly created a splendid Chinese civilization, jointly cultivated a great national spirit, and together forged the shared belief that "our territory cannot be divided, our country cannot be chaotic, our nation cannot be scattered, and our civilization cannot be interrupted," guiding the Chinese nation towards relentless self-strengthening.
Xi Jinping expressed that, despite experiencing great vicissitudes, the people of Taiwan have never forgotten their roots on the mainland, their hearts toward the motherland, their souls tied to China.
In his speech, he echoed Cheng Li-wen's remarks about Taiwan's history under Japanese colonial rule during her visit to Zhongshan Mausoleum. Xi Jinping said that even during the bitter years when Taiwan was occupied, compatriots in Taiwan still maintained a strong sense of Chinese national identity and a solid cultural connection to China, not hesitating to prove with blood and life that they are inseparable members of the big Chinese family.
As the world undergoes accelerated changes unseen in a century, Xi Jinping pointed out that regardless of international circumstances or the situation in the Taiwan Strait, the overall direction of human development and progress will not change, the trend towards the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will not change, and "the irresistible trend of compatriots on both sides of the Strait visiting each other, getting closer, and coming together will not change."
He said: "This is a historical inevitability, and we are full of confidence in it."
Xi Jinping believes the current meeting between the CPC and KMT leaders is of great significance for relations between the two parties and for the development of cross-strait relations. He expressed that today's world is not very peaceful and that peace is extremely precious. Compatriots on both sides of the Strait are all Chinese, one family, "We want peace, we want development, we want exchanges, we want cooperation"—this is the shared voice.
"The meeting between the leaders of the two parties today is to maintain the peace and tranquility of our common home and to promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, so that future generations may share a better future."
Xi Jinping stated his willingness, on the common political basis of the 1992 Consensus and opposition to Taiwan independence, to strengthen exchanges and dialogue with all political parties, groups, and people from all walks of life in Taiwan, including the KMT, to seek peace for the Strait, well-being for compatriots, and rejuvenation for the nation.
In her speech, Cheng Li-wen expressed hope that in the future, the CPC and KMT would actively promote the institutionalization of cross-strait peace, establish structured dialogue and cooperation mechanisms on the basis of the 1992 Consensus and opposition to Taiwan independence, and address issues fundamentally.
After the conversation, both sides entered a closed-door meeting.