Handle Cross-Straits Relations in the Overall Interests of the Chinese Nation

Handle Cross-Straits Relations in the Overall Interests of the Chinese Nation* 

June 13, 2013 

Over the past five years, thanks to the concerted efforts of the two parties, two sides and people from both sides of the Taiwan Straits, we have opened a right path and made important progress in the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations. Under the new circumstances, the CPC Central Committee will continue to follow its established policies and commit itself to consolidating and pushing forward the trend of peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and bringing benefits to the people and the Chinese nation as a whole. I hope both parties and both sides will continue to enhance mutual trust, maintain constructive interaction and steadily promote the comprehensive development of cross-Straits relations, strengthen the foundations for peaceful development, unite with all the people on the two sides of the Straits and work collaboratively towards the great renewal of the Chinese nation. 

At present, cross-Straits relations are at a new starting point, and we are all facing important opportunities. We should carefully sum up our experience, have a clear understanding of the changing situation and make responses accordingly, resolutely follow the path of peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, consolidate and further develop our political, economic, cultural and social foundations, and bring about fresh achievements in cross-Straits relations. 

First, we must firmly handle cross-Straits relations in the overall interests of the Chinese nation. We are committed to safeguarding the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation and the common interests of all sons and daughters of China, including our Taiwan compatriots. In addressing the general picture of cross-Straits relations in the overall interests of the Chinese nation, the most important and most fundamental thing to do is to maintain China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Although the mainland and Taiwan are yet to be reunited, they belong to one and same China, which is an indivisible whole. The Kuomintang and the CPC have every reason to uphold the one-China stance and work together to maintain the one-China framework. I hope both parties will, displaying a responsible attitude for history and the people, put the overall interests of the Chinese nation above all else, keep in mind the overall picture of the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and move those relations steadily forward in the right direction. 

Second, we must handle cross-Straits relations on the basis of a clear understanding of the trend of history. The great renewal of the Chinese nation has never been closer thanks to the tireless efforts of all the sons and daughters of China. We should view from the high ground the great trend of history with changing times and the rise of the Chinese nation, and realize that the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations has become part and parcel of China's great renewal. We should break away from outdated perceptions, and identify this renewal as the common goal. This has become a prevailing trend of development in cross-Straits relations. We should determine our own road map for continued progress in accordance with this. Both parties should take national renewal and the people's wellbeing as their bounden duty, promote unity and cooperation among compatriots as belonging to the same family, pool the wisdom and strength of the Chinese people on both sides of the Straits, and work to heal the historical trauma through working together towards national renewal, thus writing a shining page in China's journey towards prosperity. 

Third, we must strengthen mutual trust and constructive interactions, seek common ground while reserving differences, and devote ourselves to pragmatic progress. The key to increasing mutual trust lies in reaching a clearer common understanding of an identical stance on the principal issue of upholding and consolidating the one-China framework. Constructive interactions mean enhanced communication, consultations on an equal basis, meeting each other halfway, mutual release of goodwill, efforts to cherish the hard-won peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, and the solving of outstanding problems in a fair and reasonable way. Seeking common ground while reserving differences demands that both sides give full play to their political wisdom, reach and expand a consensus for enhancing cross-Straits relations, and properly handle and control their differences in the spirit of sharing and mutual assistance, as passengers in the same boat. Pragmatic progress requires that the two sides adopt a down-to-earth approach, proceed from reality and go for steady and incremental progress, never shrinking from difficulties, never being thrown off balance by interruptions, and being on guard against retrogression. As cross-Straits relations have entered a new phase of consolidation and deepening, it is all the more necessary for the two sides to keep a positive and enterprising spirit, and to face and overcome difficulties on the road to progress with greater courage and determination. I hope the two sides will work together to make even greater achievements in cross-Straits relations, while expanding steadily the scope of peaceful development of such relations. 

Fourth, we must firmly promote the comprehensive development of cross-Straits relations. Above all, we must work hard to keep cross-Straits relations stable. Forces and activities for "Taiwan independence" remain a real threat to the peace of the Taiwan Straits. It is therefore incumbent upon us to oppose and contain any rhetoric or move for "Taiwan independence" without any compromise. On the basis of overall stability in the Straits, there can be a broad scope for cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation in various fields. The two sides should take more positive steps to stimulate their economic, scientific, technological, cultural and educational cooperation, provide greater policy support, and offer still more convenient facilities, so as to expand the scope and texture of cooperation, and thereby generate even greater benefits. We must endeavor to enhance the wellbeing of the people on both sides of the Straits. All of them are entitled to the fruits of the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations. We should help them, while working to expand their common interests and promoting Chinese culture, cultivate a deeper sense of cross-Straits community of common destiny, strengthen their national pride and reaffirm their common commitment to China's rejuvenation. 

* Main points of the talk with Wu Po-hsiung, honorary chairman of the Kuomintang of China, and his delegation. 

(Not to be republished for any commercial or other purposes.)