Zhang Zhijun: Peaceful development is a gradual process toward reunification

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China's government work report is one of the country's most important documents, illustrating the country's plan for the years to come.

This year, the report not only uses the phrase "peaceful development" of relations across the Taiwan Strait, but also emphasizes "unification."

Has the Chinese central government toughened its position on the Taiwan issue? What are the means to achieve unification? Tian Wei, in an exclusive interview with Zhang Zhijun, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, asked these questions.

"We certainly want peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait on the '1992 Consensus.' It's important we will not blur the direction that we are marching for, that is the ultimate reunification of the country. So I think the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations is also a kind of gradual process moving towards that goal," answered Zhang.

Even though some countries and parties may use Taiwan as bargaining chip toward China, China is ready for the worst scenario, according to Zhang.

"We are prepared for all kind of scenarios," he said. "The One-China principle is the political foundation of state-state relations, so if we look at the statement for the establishment of diplomatic tie between China and other countries, you'll see that the One-China principle is there."

Zhang has devoted himself to the Taiwan issue for five years and has witnessed many ups and downs in the process. He said the biggest take-away for him is "more confidence for the continuing peaceful development of the cross-Strait relations toward the goal of reunification, because we are much more developed, stronger, with a strong leader leading our party and country forward."