BEIJING – President Xi Jinping yesterday said that China must be and will be reunified, as he addressed a gathering in Beijing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Chinese mainland’s Message to Compatriots in Taiwan.
“It is a historical conclusion drawn over the 70 years of the development of cross-Strait relations, and a must for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era,” said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC).
Speaking at the Great Hall of the People, Xi called for joint efforts across the Taiwan Strait to advance peaceful national reunification.
The long-standing political differences cannot be dragged on generation after generation, Xi said.
The Taiwan question originated from national weakness and disorder and has lasted for 70 years.
Xi said that since 1949 the CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese people have always unwaveringly taken resolving the Taiwan question to realize China’s complete reunification as a historic task.
He expressed confidence that the Taiwan question will definitely end with national rejuvenation.
On January 1, 1979, the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee issued the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. It was considered a declaration of the mainland’s policy for peaceful reunification.
A halt to military confrontations was proposed. Visits, cross-Strait transportation, postal services and economic and cultural exchanges were promoted. A page on cross-Strait relations had been turned.
5-point proposal
Yesterday, Xi raised a five-point proposal for peaceful reunification.
He said the principles of “peaceful reunification” and “One Country, Two Systems” are the best approach to realizing national reunification.
He proposed that the mainland and Taiwan conduct democratic consultation on cross-Strait relations and the future of the nation, and set up an institutional arrangement for peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.
He said that on the basis of ensuring China’s sovereignty, security and interests of development, the social system and way of life in Taiwan will be fully respected, and the private property, religious beliefs and legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots will be fully protected after peaceful reunification is realized.
The president pledged “utmost sincerity and greatest efforts” for the prospect of peaceful reunification and said Taiwan will be guaranteed lasting peace after reunification.
“We are all of the same family,” Xi said.
While stressing that the “Chinese don’t fight Chinese,” Xi said, “We make no promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option of taking all necessary means.”
This targets only the interference of external forces and the very small number of “Taiwan independence” separatists and their activities, he added.
“We are willing to create broad space for peaceful reunification, but will leave no room for any form of separatist activities,” he added.
Dead end
“’Taiwan independence’ goes against the trend of history and will lead to a dead end,” Xi said.
The president said that achieving the country’s greatness, national rejuvenation and cross-Strait reunification is the trend of history, which can never be blocked by anyone or any force.
President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at a gathering to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing the mainland’s Message to Compatriots in Taiwan, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday. – Xinhua
