China must be and will be reunified, President Xi Jinping said at a gathering in Beijing on January 2 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Chinese mainland's Message to Compatriots in Taiwan.

"It (reunification) is a historical conclusion drawn over the 70 years of the development of cross-Straits relations, and a must for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era," Xi said.

Speaking at the Great Hall of the People, Xi called for joint efforts across the Taiwan Straits to advance peaceful national reunification.

The longstanding political differences cannot drag on generation after generation, Xi said.

He added that since 1949 the CPC, the Chinese Government and the Chinese people have unwaveringly seen the resolution of the Taiwan question as a historic task to realize China's complete reunification.

Xi expressed confidence that the Taiwan question will definitely end with national rejuvenation.

Best approach

On January 1, 1979, the National People's Congress Standing Committee issued the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. It was considered a declaration of the mainland's policy for peaceful reunification, which proposed halting military confrontation and the promotion of visits, cross-Straits transportation, postal services and economic and cultural exchanges.

At the gathering on January 2, Xi raised a five-point proposal for peaceful reunification, saying that the principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" are the best approach to realizing national reunification.

He proposed that the mainland and Taiwan conduct democratic consultations on cross-Straits relations and the future of the nation, and establish institutional arrangements for the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

He also said on the basis of ensuring China's sovereignty, security and development interests, the social system and way of life in Taiwan will be fully respected, and private property, religious beliefs and legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots will be fully protected after peaceful reunification is realized.

The president pledged "utmost sincerity and greatest efforts" for the prospect of peaceful reunification and said Taiwan will be guaranteed lasting peace.

"We are all of the same family," Xi said.

While stressing that "Chinese don't fight Chinese," Xi said, "We make no promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option of taking all necessary measures."

This is aimed only at the interference of external forces and the very small number of "Taiwan independence" separatists and their activities, he added.

Irreversible trend

"'Taiwan independence' goes against the historical trend and will lead to a dead end," Xi said, adding that achieving China's greatness, national rejuvenation and cross-Straits reunification is a historical trend.

The peaceful and stable development of the cross-Straits situation and the progress of cross-Straits relations are the current tide that cannot be stopped by anyone or any force, he said.

Liu Jieyi, head of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, noted the strengthened political, economic, cultural and personnel exchanges over the decades.

Between 1988 and 2018, 134 million cross-Straits visits were logged; two-way trade reached $2.6 trillion; and the mainland has become Taiwan's largest market and top investment destination outside of the island, Liu said.

In his speech, Xi said the future of Taiwan lies in national reunification.

"We sincerely hope all our compatriots in Taiwan treasure peace as much as they treasure their own eyes, and pursue national reunification as much as they pursue happiness."

No outside interference

Xi said the Taiwan question is China's internal affair and it will not allow any external interference.

Chinese people's affairs should be decided by the Chinese people, Xi said, stressing that the Taiwan question concerns China's core interests and the national bond of the Chinese people.

China's reunification does not harm any country's legitimate interests, including their economic interests in Taiwan, Xi said, adding that it will only bring more development opportunities to other countries.

Over the past 70 years, more and more countries and peoples have understood and supported China's cause of reunification, the president said.

Wang Yang, 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, presided over the event on January 2.

He said Xi's speech demonstrated the historical trend of cross-Straits relations and called for joint efforts to forge ahead with peaceful national reunification.

Chen Ching-lung, a 54-year-old hotel operator in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, followed Xi's speech, which was broadcast live by China Media Group and Xinhua's website.

A veteran who was once stationed in Kinmen, Chen joined the influx of people in Taiwan who found abundant business opportunities on the mainland.

"The direction of peaceful development is totally correct," he said. "What the two sides should do is to mitigate differences and enhance their communication."

Hsueh Ching-te, another Taiwan compatriot who runs a business in Fujian, said he looks forward to complete reunification so that "all Chinese people will live in peace, prosperity and dignity."

Copyedited by Rebeca Toledo

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