Socialism with Chinese Characteristics Enters a New Era

4. Resolutely advance the process of peaceful reunification of the motherland The motherland must and will be reunified. This is the historical conclusion of the development of cross-strait relations, and it is also an inevitable requirement for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era. Cross-strait Chinese and the sons and daughters of China at home and abroad should shoulder the great national righteousness, conform to the general trend of history, and jointly promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and the process of peaceful reunification of the motherland.

First, explore the “one country, two systems” Taiwan plan to enrich the practice of peaceful reunification. “One country, two systems” was originally proposed to take care of Taiwan’s actual situation and safeguard the interests and well-being of Taiwan compatriots. The specific form of realizing “one country, two systems” in Taiwan will give full consideration to Taiwan’s actual situation, fully absorb the opinions and suggestions of all circles on both sides of the strait, and fully take into account the interests and feelings of Taiwan compatriots. Under the premise of ensuring national sovereignty, security and development interests, after peaceful reunification, the social system and way of life of Taiwan compatriots will be fully respected, and their private property, religious beliefs and legitimate rights and interests will be fully guaranteed. Cross-strait political consultations will be held on the basis of the one-China principle. Compatriots on both sides of the strait are one family, and cross-strait affairs are family affair of compatriots on both sides of the strait, and of course they should also be discussed and handled by family members. Peaceful reunification means consultation on an equal footing and joint discussion of reunification. The long-standing political differences between the two sides of the strait are the general root cause affecting the stability and long-term development of cross-strait relations, and they cannot be passed on from generation to generation.

The two sides of the strait should adopt an attitude of responsibility to the nation and future generations, pool wisdom, give play to creativity, converge and assimilate differences, strive to resolve political confrontation at an early date, realize lasting peace in the Taiwan Strait, and achieve the vision of national reunification. Comrade Xi Jinping pointed out that on the basis of the one- China principle, there are no obstacles to any political party or group in Taiwan interacting with us. Only by replacing confrontation with dialogue, replacing strife with cooperation, and replacing zero- sum with win-win can cross-strait relations be stable and far-reaching. We are willing to conduct dialogue and communication with all political parties, organizations and personages in Taiwan on cross-strait political issues and issues related to promoting the process of peaceful reunification of the motherland, extensively exchange views, seek social consensus and advance political negotiations. Comrade Xi Jinping also proposed that “on the common political basis of adhering to the ‘92 consensus’ and opposing ‘Taiwan independence’, all political parties and sectors on both sides of the strait should nominate representative personages to carry out extensive and in-depth democratic consultations on cross-strait relations and the future of the nation, and reach institutional arrangements for promoting the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.“1 Second, adhere to the one-China principle and safeguard the prospects for peaceful reunification. Comrade Xi Jinping pointed out, “Reunification is the general trend of history and the right path. ‘Taiwan independence’ is a historical countercurrent and a dead end. " 2 Although the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have not yet been completely reunified, China’s sovereignty and territory have never been divided, and the fact that the mainland and Taiwan belong to the same China has never changed. The reunification of the two sides of the strait is an end to political confrontation, not a rebuilding of territory and sovereignty. The one-China principle is the political foundation of cross- strait relations. By adhering to the one-China principle, cross-strait relations can be improved and developed, and Taiwan compatriots will benefit. Deviating from the one-China principle will lead to tension and turbulence in cross-strait relations and harm the vital interests of Taiwan compatriots. We adhere to the policy of pinning our hopes on the Taiwan people, respect Taiwan compatriots, care for them, unite with Taiwan compatriots, rely on Taiwan compatriots, and wholeheartedly do practical things, do good deeds, and solve difficulties for Taiwan compatriots. We are willing to create broad space for peaceful reunification, but we will never leave any space for various forms of “Taiwan independence” separatist activities. Chinese don’t hit Chinese. We do not undertake to renounce the use of force and reserve the option of taking all necessary measures, which are aimed at the interference of external forces and the very small number of “Taiwan independence” separatists and their separatist activities, and absolutely not at Taiwan compatriots. Compatriots on both sides of the strait should work together for peace, safeguard peace, and share peace. Third, deepen cross-strait integration and development and lay a solid foundation for peaceful reunification. Compatriots on both sides of the strait are linked by blood.

Dear friends, Chinese to help Chinese. We treat Taiwan compatriots equally, take the lead in sharing mainland development opportunities with Taiwan compatriots, and provide equal treatment for Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan enterprises, so that everyone can have more sense of gain. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the degree of cross-strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation has been continuously deepened, and the integration and development of the two sides of the strait has reached a new level. In 2018, the mainland’s trade volume with Taiwan reached US$226.24 billion, and Taiwan is the mainland’s fifth largest trading partner and third largest source of imports, and the mainland is Taiwan’s largest trading partner and source of trade surplus. Among them, the mainland’s exports to Taiwan were $48.647 billion, up 10.6 percent, imports from Taiwan were $177.598 billion, up 13.9 percent, and the mainland’s trade deficit with Taiwan was $128.951 billion. By the end of 2018, a total of 107,190 Taiwan-funded projects had been approved, accounting for 11.2% of the total number of foreign-funded projects actually used. By the end of 2018, more than 100 million Taiwan residents had come to the mainland. The two associations have continuously strengthened consultations in the economic fields such as finance, agriculture, shipping, taxation and nuclear power, as well as in the fields of people’s livelihood such as medicine and health, disaster monitoring and food safety, and established institutionalized contact mechanisms for information exchange, personnel exchange visits and crisis management, greatly expanding the fields of cross-strait exchanges and cooperation and enhancing the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the strait.

It is necessary to actively promote the institutionalization of cross-strait economic cooperation, build a cross-strait common market, add impetus to development, add vitality to cooperation, and strengthen the economy of the Chinese nation. The two sides of the strait should make every effort to improve smooth economic and trade cooperation, infrastructure connectivity, energy and resource connectivity, and common industry standards, and take the lead in realizing water, electricity, gas, and bridges between Kinmen and Matsu and the coastal areas of Fujian. It is necessary to promote cross-strait cooperation in culture and education, medical and health care, social security and sharing of public resources, and support the equalization, universalization and convenience of basic public services in areas adjacent to the two sides of the strait or with similar conditions. The 2017 Central Work Conference on Taiwan proposed to provide “national treatment” for the Taiwanese people. On February 28, 2018, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the National Development and Reform Commission and other departments issued Several Measures on Promoting Cross-Strait Economic and Cultural Exchanges and Cooperation (“31 Measures to Benefit Taiwan from the Mainland”). It clearly points out that we should actively promote the acceleration of equal treatment for Taiwan-funded enterprises and mainland enterprises in the field of investment and economic cooperation, and gradually provide Taiwan compatriots with the same treatment as mainland compatriots in studying, starting businesses, employment, and living on the mainland. On November 4, 2019, 20 relevant departments, including the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the Organization Department of the Central Committee of Economic and Commercial Affairs of the National Development and Reform Commission, issued Several Measures on Further Promoting Cross-Strait Economic and Cultural Exchanges and Cooperation (“26 Measures”);

It involves 13 measures to provide equal treatment for Taiwan enterprises to participate in investment and construction of major technical equipment, 5G, circular economy, civil aviation, theme parks, new financial organizations, etc., and 13 measures to provide more convenience and support for Taiwan compatriots in consular protection, agricultural cooperation, transportation, communication fees, housing purchase qualifications, culture and sports, title evaluation, classified recruitment, etc. These measures have brought great opportunities and a real sense of gain to Taiwan-funded enterprises and Taiwan compatriots.

Fourth, realize the spiritual unity of compatriots on both sides of the strait and enhance the identity of peaceful reunification. The soul of the country is forged by culture. Compatriots on both sides of the strait share the same roots, the same language, and the same species, and Chinese culture is the root vein and belonging of the hearts of compatriots on both sides of the strait. The national reunification we are pursuing is not only formal reunification, but more importantly, the spiritual unity of compatriots on both sides of the strait. We understand the mentality formed by Taiwan compatriots due to special historical encounters and different social environments, respect the social system and way of life chosen by Taiwan compatriots themselves, and are willing to use sincerity, goodwill and family affection to narrow the psychological distance between compatriots on both sides of the strait. At the same time, Taiwan compatriots also need to know and understand more about the feelings and mentality of mainland compatriots, and respect the choices and pursuits of mainland compatriots. The fellowship of people is in the heart. No matter how many disturbances and obstacles we encounter, exchanges and cooperation between compatriots on both sides of the strait cannot be stopped, interrupted, or reduced. Compatriots on both sides of the strait should jointly inherit the excellent traditional Chinese culture and promote its creative transformation and innovative development. Compatriots on both sides of the strait should exchange and learn from each other, engage in dialogue and tolerance, promote themselves and others, compare hearts to hearts, deepen mutual understanding, and enhance mutual trust and recognition. It is necessary to uphold the feelings of compatriots and empathy, educate future generations with a correct view of history, nationality, and country, and carry forward the great national spirit. Between relatives, there is no knot that cannot be untied. After a long period of meritorious service, we will certainly be able to achieve the spiritual harmony of compatriots on both sides of the strait.

In short, “one country, two systems” has strong vitality, and realizing the complete reunification of the motherland in accordance with the principle of “one country, two systems” is the common aspiration of all Chinese people and the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation. As long as all the sons and daughters of China, including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan compatriots, conform to the general trend of history, shoulder the great national righteousness, and firmly hold the destiny of the nation in their own hands, they will certainly be able to realize the peaceful reunification of the motherland and jointly create a bright future for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.