Question: What efforts has the Chinese government made to resolve the Taiwan question and realize China’s complete reunification?
Spokesperson: Since 1949, the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government, and the Chinese people have always taken resolving the Taiwan question and realizing the complete reunification of the motherland as an unswerving historical task.
We have worked with Taiwan compatriots to move the situation across the Taiwan Straits from tense confrontation to relaxation, improvement, and then to peaceful development. There have been breakthroughs in cross-Straits relations.
In keeping with the common aspiration of the compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, we have worked to break the state of isolation between the two sides. We have achieved overall direct two-way “three links” (mail, business and transport) and initiated substantial exchanges, communication and cooperation between the two sides. Cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation have steadily expanded and grown increasingly closer, and mutual affinity has deepened. Taiwan compatriots have made significant contributions to the reform and opening up of the motherland and in turn have also shared the mainland’s development opportunities.
We have, in a spirit of seeking common ground while setting aside differences and on the basis of the one-China principle, enabled the two sides to reach the “1992 Consensus” that “both sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to one China and will work together toward national reunification.” The two sides have thus initiated consultations and negotiation and promoted cross-Strait exchange between political parties, which opened up a path for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and realized a historic meeting between leaders of both sides, elevating cross-Strait political interactions to a new height.
In keeping with the changing times in the development of cross-Straits relations, we have proposed the policy of seeking a peaceful solution of the Taiwan question and the scientific concept of “one country, two systems”, and established the basic principle of peaceful reunification and “one country, two systems”. On this basis, we have formulated the strategy of upholding the principle of “one country, two systems” and advancing national reunification. With this we have responded to the call of the times, namely, to promote, in the new era, the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and work with our compatriots in Taiwan to achieve national rejuvenation and peaceful reunification of the country.
We have, holding high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, and on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, forged friendship and strengthened cooperation with other countries and consolidated the international community’s commitment to the one-China principle. More and more countries and peoples understand and support China’s course of national reunification .
We have, bearing in mind the overall and long-term interests of the Chinese nation, stood firm in safeguarding China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Uniting all the Chinese people, we have resolutely defeated all attempts to create “two Chinas,” “one China, one Taiwan” or “Taiwan independence”, and achieved major victories in the fight against separatist activities for “Taiwan independence”.
Realizing the complete reunification of China is the common aspiration and firm will of all Chinese. It is a historical trend that no one can stop. We will strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with utmost efforts and sincerity, but we will never allow anyone to separate Taiwan from China by any means.
