Cross-Straits cooperation 'unstoppable'

CPC on historic mission to complete reunification, top adviser says at forum

Resolving the Taiwan question and realizing the complete reunification of the country is a historic mission of the Communist Party of China, Wang Yang, China's top political adviser, said on Saturday.

"We have full confidence in completing the mission," Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said while addressing the 13th Straits Forum held in the coastal city of Xiamen, Fujian province.

Nearly 2,000 Taiwan compatriots from all walks of life attended the forum, which began on Friday and featured 41 events on topics including the economy, culture and youth. The forum is the largest annual cross-Straits event focusing on people-to-people exchanges.

Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and obstruction by some people on the island, people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits actively participated in the forum online and offline, Wang noted.

He said the wide participation demonstrated that the trend of cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation is "unstoppable", and no one can go against the will of compatriots on both sides to get closer to each other.

Safeguarding national unity is the most cherished national ethos of the Chinese people. "From the bottom of our hearts, the Chinese people support, look forward to and firmly defend reunification. This is our greatest confidence," he said.

Wang said that China is a peace-loving nation, but it will be "as firm as a rock" in defending the country and opposing secession. The Chinese mainland will strive for peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and efforts, but will not leave any room for "Taiwan independence "separatist activities, he said.

"We have the ability to transform the disaster-ridden Chinese nation from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong. We have the ability to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects on the once poverty-stricken mainland with a large population. We, of course, have the ability to make Taiwan compatriots enjoy a better life," Wang said.

Efforts will be made to promote peaceful and integrated development of cross-Straits relations, improve systems and policies that guarantee the well-being of Taiwan compatriots and ensure they enjoy equal treatment on the mainland, he said.

Taiwan compatriots, especially young people, are welcome to pursue their dreams and fulfill their aspirations on the mainland, he added.

Eric Chu Li-luan, chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, said in his address via video link that the KMT bears great responsibility for maintaining stable cross-Straits relations. The KMT is committed to the goal of improving the well-being of people and will continue to promote peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, he said.

Wu Cheng-tien, chairman of Taiwan's New Party, said in his address that the party will do its utmost as long as it's conducive to peaceful reunification and cross-Straits exchanges and development. He also called on Taiwan compatriots to work together to promote peaceful reunification.