Gathering commemorates 40th anniversary of 'Message to Compatriots in Taiwan'

World
Europe

01:50

The gathering marking the 40th anniversary of the "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan" is being held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday.

President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech.

In his speech, Xi reviewed the history of cross-Strait relations over the past 70 years.

04:10

He said the Chinese mainland is willing to offer the greatest sincerity and efforts to reach peaceful reunification but stands firm in opposition to "Taiwan independence," reiterating the necessity of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He also proposed that political parties and all sectors on both sides of the Taiwan Strait recommend representatives to conduct extensive and in-depth democratic consultation on cross-Strait relations and the future of the nation and establish institutional arrangement for promoting peaceful development of the relations on the basis of the common political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence."

Legislative guarantee

08:15

Wang Chen, vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), reviewed the role of the NPC and its Standing Committee in promoting the cross-Strait relations.

Efforts have been made to protect the legitimate rights of the Taiwan compatriots who invest in China's mainland with legislation because enhancing business cooperation and exchanges is an important foundation for developing the cross-Strait relations, Wang said.

The Anti-Secession Law was passed at the 3rd Session of the 10th National People's Congress in 2005, which demonstrates Chinese people's firm opposition against “Taiwan independence” and strong determination to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.

He pledged to further improve related laws and ensure the implementation of the laws to make a significant contribution to resolving the Taiwan question, achieving China's full reunification and safeguarding the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation.

Joint efforts on both sides

07:53

Su Hui, vice chairperson of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and chairperson of the central committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, addressed the gathering.

The mainland's achievements in reform and opening-up and its development have strengthened its attraction and appeal to Taiwan compatriots, Su said, adding that Taiwan compatriots have joined the efforts and also gained from the great cause.

In her speech, Su called for people from both sides to join hands to promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, advance the process toward the peaceful reunification of China, and work together to realize the Chinese Dream for national rejuvenation.

Women power

09:16

Huang Xiaowei, secretary of the Leading Party Group, vice president and first member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation, stressed the important role of women in developing the cross-Strait relations.

Women, as "half the sky", have always been indispensable force in the course of peaceful reunification of China, she said, saying women have played an active role in economic and cultural exchanges across the Strait.

On New Year's Day of 1979, the NPC Standing Committee issued the "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan", stating major policies to realize the peaceful reunification of China.

The message marks the beginning of a new historical period in the theory and practice of resolving issues relevant to Taiwan, and a new chapter in the development of cross-Strait relations.

Advanced relations

07:40

Liu Jieyi, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said people on both sides can resolve their own questions on the basis of upholding one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus.

From 1988 to 2018, over 134 million journeys were made across the Strait, among which 104 million journeys were made by Taiwan compatriots to the mainland, Liu said, adding that business cooperation and exchanges across the Straits had reached a record high.

Noting the progress over the past years, LIu expressed hopes to the advancement of the cross-Strait relations.

About the "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan"

"Message to Compatriots in Taiwan." /People's Daily

The momentum of the development of cross-Strait relations and the full reunification of China will grow stronger and neither the separatists nor their attempts for “Taiwan independence” will ever succeed, Liu said.

On New Year's Day of 1979, the NPC Standing Committee issued the "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan," stating the major policies to realize the peaceful reunification of China. The message marks the beginning of a new historical period in the theory and practice of resolving issues relevant to Taiwan, and a new chapter in the development of cross-Strait relations.