Peaceful relations with Taiwan a duty, says Xi

COMMUNIST Party chief Xi Jinping said yesterday that carrying forward the peaceful development of mainland-Taiwan relations is a duty of the Party.

Meeting Lien Chan, honorary chairman of the Kuomintang from Taiwan, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi said: "It is the duty of the new Party leadership to continue promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties and the peaceful reunification of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait."

Xi said the new leadership has full confidence in unwaveringly promoting the peaceful development of ties and overcoming difficulties in ushering in new prospects for relations, as well as in joining hands with Taiwan to embrace the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

"We will maintain consistency in policies toward Taiwan by unswervingly upholding the one-China principle and continuing to promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation," Xi said.

Nothing could cut the blood bond between mainland and Taiwan compatriots and nothing could change the fact that both sides belong to one China, Xi said, adding that nothing could hinder the Chinese resolve to make the Chinese nation outstanding.

Xi expressed his hope that Taiwan can develop along with the mainland and that compatriots from both sides can cooperate in realizing the "Chinese dream."

Realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation - the greatest dream in the country's modern history - requires the joint efforts of people from both sides of the strait, he said.

"If brothers are of the same mind, their sharpness can cut through metal," Xi said.

Xi, however, warned of problems that had hindered the development of cross-Strait ties, saying they would require time, patience and joint efforts to resolve.

Prospects for cross-Strait cooperation will be bright as long as the two sides can agree to oppose Taiwan independence and follow the 1992 Consensus, he said.

More Taiwanese will realize that Taiwan's future hinges on the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties.

Lien said: "The path of peaceful development is a correct path that should not and will not be reversed."

He expressed hope that relations could be deepened from a new starting point.

Lien said Taiwan is a part of China and so is the mainland, thus making cross-Strait relations part of the "one-China" framework instead of being state-to-state relations. People from both sides should promote brotherhood and mutual understanding, as well as join hands to resist separation and reinvigorate the Chinese nation, he said.

Lien conveyed greetings from Kuomintang Chairman Ma Ying-jeou to Xi, while Xi asked Lien to give his regards to Ma.

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