CPC, KMT leaders' meeting advances cross-Strait ties

Editor's note: Wang Shushen, a special commentator for CGTN, is the deputy director of the Institute of Taiwan Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author's views and not necessarily those of CGTN.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with a delegation of the Chinese Kuomingtang (KMT) Party led by its chairwoman Cheng Li-wun in Beijing on Friday.

Two days later, the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee has announced 10 policies and measures to advance the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and enhance the kinship and well-being of compatriots across the Strait.

This first meeting between the leaders of the two parties in a decade carries great significance for developing relations between the two parties and across the Taiwan Strait. Such face-to-face meetings not only help enhance mutual understanding, but also communicate policy positions accurately.

During the meeting, Xi put forward four proposals to advance cross-Strait ties, among which "fostering people's well-being through exchanges and integration" was emphasized.

Cheng stressed that people on both sides of the Strait are Chinese and belong to one family. The KMT and the CPC should uphold the common political foundation of adhering to the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle, and opposing "Taiwan independence." They should strengthen mutual political trust, preserve Chinese history, promote Chinese culture and expand exchanges and cooperation across all fields.

She also called for efforts to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Promoting cross-Strait exchanges topped the agenda of Friday's meeting. The period from 2008 to 2016 – often referred to as the "golden era" in the history of cross-Strait ties and marked by extensive exchanges, robust cooperation and significant progress across the Strait – remains vivid in many memories. Xi said Taiwan compatriots are welcome to visit the mainland and encouraged young people in Taiwan to seek development opportunities on the mainland.

Expanding cross-Strait exchanges, interactions and integration has long been an important component of China's position on the Taiwan question. By putting forward the concept of integrated cross-Strait development and unveiling the policies and measures, the mainland aims to bring compatriots on both sides closer and build a shared and better future.

Mutual understanding and goodwill are best fostered through direct, face-to-face engagement. Cheng's visit has served as a bridge for communication across the Strait, demonstrating the resolve to break down barriers to exchanges. The CPC and the KMT will continue to work toward further restoring cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation.

Promoting cross-Strait economic cooperation is also a shared understanding between the CPC and the KMT. Despite increasing global economic turbulence, cross-Strait trade has continued to grow. Last year witnessed a total trade volume of $314.3 billion across the Strait, up 7.3% year on year. This demonstrates that the super-sized market advantage of the mainland, together with the steady advance of Chinese modernization, will provide strong support for the island's economic development.

The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) will also bring greater opportunities and dividends for Taiwan. Cheng's visit has been welcomed by the island's businesses, demonstrating the community's strong desire to enhance cross-Strait economic cooperation and jointly build a stronger Chinese economy.

At present, the economic and social development of Taiwan is teetering, characterized by a K-shaped growth divergence, with different sectors, industries, and income groups growing at drastically different rates. The island's semi-conductor industry has limited capacity to generate high-income jobs while a wide range of traditional industries hit by the tariff policies of the United States face difficulties.

That said, cross-Strait economic cooperation remains highly resilient with great potential. Xi said Taiwan agricultural and fishery products, as well as other high-quality goods, are welcome to the mainland market. The mainland has always cared about the livelihood and well-being of Taiwan compatriots and opposed Taiwan authorities' bid to decouple from the mainland in its industrial and supply chain development.

The mainland will continue to adopt an open approach in welcoming Taiwan-based enterprises, businesspeople and grassroots economic and trade groups to invest and do business on the mainland.

During this meeting, the shared aspiration of both the CPC and the KMT has emerged – preserving and promoting Chinese culture, keeping the future of cross-Strait relations in the hand of the Chinese people, and striving for great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. This fully reflects the sense of historical responsibility of the two parties to seek common ground while setting aside differences, building on converging interests and charting a path forward, premised on the overall interests of the Chinese nation.

Such candid and in-depth exchanges help build channels of communication while enhancing mutual understanding and trust. They also reflect the mainstream public opinion on the island, serving as a counterweight to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and rhetoric.

Indeed, Chinese history, Chinese culture and a strong sense of national identity have always been the most powerful and enduring sources of strength for fostering kinship and integrated development across the Strait. They have provided sustained impetus for the Chinese nation to move steadily forward toward national rejuvenation.

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