Xi: Two sides of Taiwan Straits share one destiny

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has called both sides across the Taiwan Straits a community of shared destiny that cannot be prised apart.

Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland on its 10th anniversary on Wednesday.

Xi said he hopes the association will continue to uphold the one-China policy, unite Taiwan compatriots and forge ahead, to maintain cross-Straits peaceful development and make new contributions to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Since the 1980s, when the door was reopened between the mainland and Taiwan, the mainland has become a place where Taiwan compatriots can invest and make their home, Xi said in the letter.

"We would like to share development opportunities with Taiwan compatriots and welcome them to do business in the mainland. We will continue to study and release more favorable policies to benefit Taiwan compatriots in the mainland, to bring convenience for them to study, work, start businesses and live in the mainland. We will also protect Taiwan compatriots' legal rights," Xi said.

Yin Cunyi, professor at the Institute of Taiwan Studies of Tsinghua University, said the greeting "shows that the mainland highly values the Taiwan business community, which has made great contributions to cross-Straits relations".

Yin said they can benefit from close cooperation with the mainland. "Some Taiwan companies have grown bigger and bigger thanks to the vast mainland market and favorable policies."

Economic development cannot last long without a stable environment, Yin added.

"That the Democratic Progressive Party refused to recognize the 1992 Consensus, which embodies both sides belonging to one China, has hampered the political foundation for cross-Straits peaceful development. It has brought a negative influence to cross-Straits economic development," he said.

The DPP's refusal has led to the interruption of official cross-Straits communication channels since June.

In a meeting with about 400 ATIEM delegates on Wednesday, Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said the mainland always has clear and consistent Taiwan policies and measures.

The mainland encourages economic and social engagement between both sides, and welcomes and supports Taiwan compatriots seeking development in the mainland, he said.

The mainland sticks to the 1992 Consensus and firmly opposes "Taiwan independence", backs deepened economic and social cooperation, works to improve the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Straits and strives to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Yu said.

Zhang Zhijun, head of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, praised Taiwan businesspeople and lauded the association's contributions to the mainland's economic and social development as well as the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

Wang Ping-sheng, ATIEM chairman, said: "I am looking forward to peaceful cross-Straits development. Under the foundation of the one-China policy, we can enhance cooperation and continue to help each other."

ATIEM, a nongovernmental social organization established in 2007, consists of about 300 Taiwan enterprises and business associations across the mainland.