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September 27, 2014

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Xi says peaceful development to benefit both sides

Source: Xinhua | September 27, 2014, Saturday | Print Edition

XI Jinping, general secretary of the Party’s Central Committee, told a Taiwanese delegation yesterday of his “firm and unwavering stance” on national reunification.

At the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the delegation of pro-reunification groups heard that cross-Strait peaceful development would not change.

Calling on both sides to strengthen confidence and work for China’s rejuvenation, Xi said: “No secessionist act will be tolerated. The path of Taiwan independence is unfeasible.

“We treat our Taiwan compatriots equally and without discrimination. We welcome anyone willing to promote peaceful cross-Strait development, whatever stance he once took.”

Curbing secessionism is a must for ensuring the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties, Xi said.

Relations between the mainland and Taiwan stalled when the Kuomintang fled to Taiwan in 1949. The Kuomintang is now seen as friendly to the mainland.

Secessionists had harmed national sovereignty, territorial integrity and cross-Strait peace and stability, Xi said. They had provoked cross-Strait confrontations and brought woe to both sides, especially to Taiwan compatriots, Xi added, warning that secessionists would not give up easily and would continue to provoke cross-Strait enmity and hinder exchanges and cooperation.

“Although the Chinese mainland and Taiwan have been separate since 1949, the fact that the two sides belong to one China has not changed, and will not be changed,” he said.

Xi said reunification would end political confrontation but did not mean remolding territory and sovereignty. The basic guideline to solve the Taiwan question is “peaceful reunification; one country, two systems” and that was also the best way to realize national reunification.

Xi stressed a peaceful path to reunification.

“One country, two systems” in Taiwan will take the island’s actual condition into consideration, absorb suggestions from both sides and fully consider the interests of Taiwan compatriots, he said.

“The national reunification we advocate is not merely unification in form, but more importantly, a spiritual connection between the two sides,” he said.

Xi said the mainland understood Taiwan compatriots’ mentality, formed from special historical periods and a different social environment, and respected their social system and chosen lifestyle.

The mainland is “willing to shorten the psychological distance of the two sides with sincerity, kindness and familial affection,” Xi said, adding that Taiwan compatriots should also try to understand the mentality and feelings of the 1.3 billion mainlanders, and respect their choices and aspirations.

“We will stick to the path of peaceful cross-Strait development and policies which benefit compatriots on both sides,” Xi said.

He said reunification on China’s path to rejuvenation was inevitable. The nation had experienced enough hardship in seeking revival. Reunification breeds strength while secession creates turbulence.

The Chinese nation’s revival is closely linked to the future of both sides, and Taiwan’s future lies in national reunification, Xi said.

“We are closer to the goal of the great revival than at any other time in history.

“We have more confidence and ability than ever to realize that goal, which is good news and a historic opportunity for Taiwan,” Xi said.

The delegation, led by New Alliance Association Chairman Hsu Li-nung and New Party chairman Yok Mu-ming began a six-day visit to the mainland on Wednesday at the invitation of the Central Committee’s Taiwan Work Office.

It includes representatives from more than 20 groups, including the New Party, New Alliance Association, the Alliance for the Reunification of China, the Labor Party of Taiwan and the China Tide Association.

Nation


 

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