Cross-Strait collaboration key to nation's long-term well-being

Enterprises across the Taiwan Strait should deepen exchanges and cooperation to promote common development, improve people's well-being and jointly create a brighter future for the Chinese nation, China's top political adviser Wang Huning said on Tuesday.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks at the annual conference of the 2025 Cross-Strait CEO Summit in Nanjing, Jiangsu province.

Wang said President Xi Jinping has stressed that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation offers vast opportunities for cross-Strait economic cooperation and requires joint efforts from compatriots on both sides of the Strait.

He said people on both sides are Chinese and their economies are part of the Chinese national economy, adding that a prosperous nation and a strong country will benefit compatriots on both sides.

Wang urged seizing the historical trends of national reunification and rejuvenation and maintaining the correct direction in the development of cross-Strait relations.

The fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has made top-level designs and strategic plans for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), he said, noting that this will inject new momentum into promoting cross-Strait economic cooperation and common development, open new prospects for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and advance the cause of national reunification.

Wang expressed hope that people and enterprises from Taiwan would contribute more to the common growth of the national economy and the long-term well-being of the nation.

He also called on people on both sides to uphold a correct view of World War II history, carry forward the national spirit and the spirit of resistance, adhere to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, firmly oppose "Taiwan independence" separatism and external interference, safeguard the common home of the Chinese nation and advance the cause of national reunification.

Wang stressed the importance of strengthening awareness of the Chinese national community, enhancing ambition, backbone and confidence in being Chinese, and striving for peace in the Taiwan Strait, national reunification and rejuvenation.

Liu Chao-hsuan, chairman of the Taiwan side of the summit, said at the opening ceremony that despite dramatic changes in the global economic situation in recent years, the mainland remains an important production base and market for Taiwan businesses.

Liu said the summit adheres to the 1992 Consensus as its foundation and provides a platform for cross-Strait industrial cooperation, promoting deeper exchanges and cooperation between enterprises on both sides.

He said the formulation and implementation of the mainland's 15th Five-Year Plan will open vast new space for cross-Strait industrial cooperation and expressed hope that both sides will work together to achieve industrial transformation, upgrading and innovation across multiple industrial chains.

Fei Kuang-han, general manager of Kunshan Bonteck Precision Co, said he has operated in Kunshan in Jiangsu for more than a decade and has experienced strong local government support for young entrepreneurs.

"Policy support in Kunshan is comprehensive, and the number of young entrepreneurs from Taiwan has been increasing year by year," he said. "Many have moved from tentative investments to long-term development, which is a gratifying trend."

Fei said the Chinese mainland is a global leader in talent, capital, market opportunities and technological innovation, making it a land of great potential for young entrepreneurs and traditional manufacturing industries.

Businesses from Taiwan, he said, have advantages in industrial chains and technological accumulation, and when combined with the mainland's complete industrial system and large talent pool, they gain strong conditions for transformation and upgrading.

Lee Cheng-hung, president of the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland, highlighted the mainland's vast and culturally diverse market.

He said young people from Taiwan should seize opportunities in the mainland's rapidly growing e-commerce and digital economies, while also considering emerging industries such as artificial intelligence.

"The mainland offers ample space for young people to display their talents," Lee said.

Kao Chang, an honorary professor at Taiwan's Dong Hwa University, said Taiwan, as an island economy, must look outward for development.

"Over the past 30 years, cross-Strait industrial integration has deepened significantly," he said. "Future cooperation across the Strait remains crucial for Taiwan enterprises, and market forces will continue to drive integration."

Even amid international uncertainties, Kao said, Taiwan enterprises cannot ignore opportunities on the mainland as long as its economy maintains positive growth.

"The key lies in the market's inherent attractiveness, and I remain optimistic about economic growth next year," he said.

About 800 people, including members of the summit council, entrepreneurs from both sides of the Strait, and experts and scholars, attended the event.

cangwei@chinadaily.com.cn