Experts and scholars at a think tank forum said Friday Beijing's latest white paper on the Taiwan question has sent a strong signal to the world and charted a new course for cross-strait relations at a crucial time.

"It smashes any illusion and leaves no space for any move to separate Taiwan from China. It also puts forward policies and measures to substantially promote cross-strait reunification," said Ren Xiaofeng, a researcher from the Naval Research Institute of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

The white paper, released on Wednesday, is Beijing's third such authoritative document. It came after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited China's Taiwan region – a move Beijing sees as a provocation and serious violation of the one-China principle.

The white paper reiterates the status of the island as part of China with historical evidence, legal basis and international consensus. It also sets the tone for the Chinese government's future policies toward cross-strait relations.

Experts said the document has made Beijing's stance clear once again - that is, no room for separatist activities in any form, both inside Taiwan and from outside the island.

"The document calls the Democratic Progressive Party out, saying that Taiwan authorities and external forces are the two major obstacles trying to divide China. Beijing will firmly take powerful actions against them," said Li Yihu, head of the Taiwan Institute of Peking University.

The white paper says peaceful reunification and the "One Country, Two Systems" principle are still Beijing's first options, adding that stable cross-strait relations are best for the people on both sides, especially Taiwan residents.

"The white paper specially notes that a complete cross-strait reunification will create a huge opportunity for Taiwan's socio-economic development and bring tangible benefits to Taiwan residents. Taiwan can have a vast space for development, and the rights and interests of its residents will be fully protected," said Wang Zhiguo, deputy director of the Institute of Taiwan Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The document shows the trade volume between Taiwan and the mainland increased from $46 million in 1978 to almost $328.34 billion last year. The number of trips made between Taiwan and the mainland also grew from less than 50,000 in 1987 to about 9 million in 2019.

The think tank said it's a common wish for all Chinese to see Taiwan and the mainland reunite. And the will for China's reunification is unstoppable.

(Cover: The think tank forum shares analysis on Beijing's latest white paper on the Taiwan question in Beijing, China, August 12, 2022. /CGTN)