BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a speech at a gathering held Wednesday in Beijing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan.
The speech is a comprehensive review of the breakthroughs in the cross-Strait relations over the past 70 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, especially after the peaceful reunification principle was implemented, and an exposition of major policies and decisions for China's peaceful reunification during its national rejuvenation.
It will therefore serve as a guidance to the work regarding the cross-Strait relations.
On Jan. 1, 1979, the National People's Congress Standing Committee issued the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan, a declaration of the mainland's policy for peaceful reunification, calling for an end to the division and promoting visits, cross-Strait transportation, postal services and economic exchanges.
Since 1949, the CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese people have always taken it as a historic task to resolve the Taiwan question and realize China's complete reunification.
Over the past 40 years of the reform and opening-up, the mainland has always been resolutely upholding the principle of peaceful reunification and steadfastly promoting cross-Strait exchanges in all areas.
As proved by the cross-Strait relation development, the fact that compatriots across the Strait are all Chinese who share natural kinship and national identity can never be changed by anyone or any force.
The Taiwan question originated from national weakness and disorder, which brought China the historical trauma of national division that the Chinese nation has yet completely healed from.
With an invincible force growing within the Chinese nation, the Chinese people on both sides of the Strait should make joint efforts to realize the Chinese dream.
"The Taiwan question will definitely end with national rejuvenation," said Xi in his speech delivered at the gathering.
The principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" have proved to be the best path to achieve the goal of national reunification.
Through dialogues and cooperation based on the 1992 Consensus and the opposition to "Taiwan independence," as well as discussions to seek solutions under the "one country, two systems" principle, the Chinese people across the Strait will certainly end the political division, bring lasting peace to the Taiwan Strait and realize national reunification early.
The one-China principle is the political foundation of cross-Strait relations. Standing firm in safeguarding China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the mainland will resolutely defeat any form of separatist attempts and acts for "Taiwan independence" as well as oppose the interference of external forces in the Taiwan Strait.
The mainland is willing to create broad space for peaceful reunification.
It is the mainland's kindness and promise to deepen the integrated development across the Taiwan Strait and share its development opportunities with the Taiwan compatriots, whose well-being will be improved backed by the powerful motherland.
The Chinese people on both sides of the Strait can find their roots and where they belong to in the Chinese culture. Forty years on, the Taiwan compatriots and all other Chinese people should be inspired to support and seek national rejuvenation in an active manner.
