CMG: Top 10 Taiwan Strait news in 2025

China Media Group (CMG) on Saturday released the top 10 stories across the Taiwan Strait in 2025.

1. National sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity urged to be resolutely safeguarded

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, asked the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) to build itself into world-class forces and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

Xi made the remarks while addressing a grand commemorative gathering held in Beijing on September 3 when the country marked the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

2. Promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and advancing the cause of national reunification highlighted

Promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and advancing the cause of national reunification were listed as important parts of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) in the Recommendations of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development.

The document was adopted at the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee on October 23.

3. U.S. urged to handle the Taiwan question with prudence

In the phone talks initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump on June 5, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that the United States must handle the Taiwan question with prudence, so that the fringe separatists bent on "Taiwan independence" will not be able to drag China and the United States into the dangerous terrain of confrontation and even conflict. During the call, Trump said the United States will honor the one-China policy.

On November 24, Xi clarified China's principled position on the Taiwan question in a telephone call with Trump. Xi also stressed that Taiwan's return to China is an important part of the post-war international order.

During the call, Trump stressed that the United States understands how important the Taiwan question is to China.

4. Cheng Li-wun congratulated on election as chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party

On October 19, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, congratulated Cheng Li-wun on being elected chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party.

Cheng expressed gratitude in her reply to Xi's congratulations.

Cheng won the election in Taiwan on October 18 with 50.15 percent of the vote.

5. China ratifies Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration

China's national legislature on October 24 voted to designate October 25 as the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration.

The country will hold commemorative activities in various forms on this day, according to the decision adopted at the five-day session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, which opened on October 24.

6. Conference marking the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration held in Beijing

A conference marking the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration was held in Beijing on October 25.

Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, called on Chinese people at home and abroad to unite more broadly, recall history and safeguard the achievements of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War at the conference.

7. PLA launches 'Strait Thunder-2025A' exercises in middle, southern areas of Taiwan Strait

The PLA Eastern Theater Command conducted military exercises code-named "Strait Thunder-2025A" in the middle and southern areas of the Taiwan Strait from April 1 to 2.

The theater command organized its army, navy, air and rocket forces to close in on Taiwan Island from multiple directions, said Senior Colonel Shi Yi, the spokesperson for the theater command.

8. Mainland launches online platform to report 'Taiwan independence' activities

The Chinese mainland has launched an online platform for the public to report "vile acts" by those advocating "Taiwan independence" and their accomplices in persecuting Taiwan compatriots, a mainland spokesperson said on March 26.

The reporting section, added to the official website of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on March 26, is intended to hold key "Taiwan independence" separatists accountable, according to Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the office.

9. The 17th Strait Forum was held in Xiamen

The 17th Straits Forum was held in Xiamen, a coastal city in east China's Fujian Province, on June 15.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, called for greater unity and peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait while addressing the forum.

10. Mainland expands permit-issuing ports for Taiwan residents to 100

From November 20, the number of mainland ports authorized to issue single-entry travel permits upon arrival for Taiwan residents will increase to 100, according to the National Immigration Administration.

First-time visitors from Taiwan will benefit from two new perks: free access to over 3,000 scenic sites across the Chinese mainland and exemption from the permit application fee.