Package of policies, measures unveiled: A bridge for cross-Strait exchanges

Editor's note: Chen Guiqing, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a research fellow at the Institute of Taiwan Studies, and deputy director of the Department of Foreign Affairs Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

On April 12, the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee made public 10 policies and measures to promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation. Premised on the principle that people on both sides of the Strait are one family, these are important tools to implement the commitments made by President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and advance the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

Covering party-to-party engagement, youth exchanges, economic and trade cooperation, people-to-people connectivity, cultural exchanges and other fields, the announcement will help remove barriers to cross-Strait exchanges and provide a strong impetus to the integrated development of cross-Strait relations.

The Chinese mainland will set up platforms and mechanisms for deeper exchanges between the CPC and the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) Party. Party-to-party exchanges serve as the political cornerstone for peaceful cross-Strait development. The announcement shows the resolve to explore a regular communication mechanism between the CPC and the KMT, grounded in the common political foundation of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence."

An institutionalized platform for two-way exchanges between young people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait will be established. Around 20 youth delegations from Taiwan will be invited to visit the mainland each year to create a stage for young people on both sides to meet, know one another and bond. With a stable party-to-party communication mechanism and interactions among young people, cross-Strait exchanges will forge ahead.

The policies and measures demonstrate mainland’s commitment to safeguarding the well-being of Taiwan compatriots. People-to-people connectivity and economic and trade cooperation are the common aspirations on both sides of the Strait. This time, they are also the highlights of the policies.

For integrated development, the mainland will also promote the supply of water, electricity and gas services as well as explore the feasibility of connecting coastal areas in Fujian Province on the mainland and the Taiwan region-administered Kinmen and Matsu, when conditions permit.

In terms of personnel exchanges, the mainland will advance full normalization of cross-Strait passenger flights and resume pilot programs allowing residents of Shanghai and Fujian to travel to Taiwan. These measures aim to break down barriers to travel, facilitate visits, family reunions and tourism, and help narrow the geographical and psychological distance between the two sides.

The mainland will facilitate the import of Taiwan's agricultural and fishery products that meet inspection and quarantine standards, as well as the registration procedures for qualified food products into the mainland. Efforts will also be made to explore establishing more trading markets for small-ticket items with Taiwan, meeting the needs of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises from Taiwan to expand business on the mainland.

This will help Taiwan's farmers and fishermen expand sales channels and enable businesses to better access the mainland market, delivering tangible benefits to Taiwan's micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as middle- and lower- income groups, particularly in southern and central Taiwan.

In cultural exchanges, the mainland will support the broadcast of high-quality Taiwan shows, documentaries and animations on the mainland. Content creators from both sides will be encouraged to jointly produce cultural works. Taking culture as a bond, both sides will carry forward the finest elements of traditional Chinese culture and foster a shared commitment to realize the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.

These 10 practical policies and measures open up broad and multi-tiered channels for cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, all aimed at improving the well-being of people on both sides and reflecting the mainland's people-centered development philosophy.

Both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China, sharing common roots, origin and bloodline. Only by strengthening exchanges and deepening cooperation can the two sides jointly address challenges and share in development opportunities.

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