China News Agency, Beijing, December 30th. Question: Why is it that the more cross-strait relations are at a low point, the more people-to-people exchanges are called for?
China News Agency reporter Yang Chengchen
2022 is the 30th anniversary of the "1992 Consensus" and the 35th year since cross-strait exchanges began.
This year, people in Taiwan have been seeking changes and innovations.
The word "si" was selected with a high number of votes in the annual Chinese character selection related to cross-strait relations. Behind it is the lovesickness of compatriots in different places, and sincerely hopes for the restoration of exchanges and personnel exchanges.
On August 27, the 2022 Overseas Chinese Global Conference on Promoting the Peaceful Reunification of China was held in Sichuan.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Han Haidan
Taiwan is located in the southeast of the motherland, so it is called "landing" and the development is westward.
People-to-people exchanges between the two sides of the strait to break the political barrier began in 1987, and the call of mainland veterans in Taiwan to return to their hometowns to visit their relatives was realized.
Since then, the strait has ceased to be an obstacle, people on both sides of the strait have entered a time of resonance, exchanges and cooperation have become more intense, and westward travel has become commonplace.
Later, the integration and development of various fields across the Taiwan Strait continued to deepen.
The word "thinking" reflects the real state of mind of the people on both sides of the strait regarding the situation.
Looking back on 2022, against the background of Taiwan's "nine-in-one" election, Pelosi's sneak visit, and frequent links between Taiwan and the United States, the situation in the Taiwan Strait is turbulent, and cross-strait relations have faced many turbulent challenges.
In response to external interference, the mainland has resolutely countered it, and vigorously deters separatist and interfering forces in the political, economic, diplomatic, legal, and military aspects.
The anti-separatist and anti-interference determination demonstrated at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China demonstrates the will of the people.
Even with the obstruction of the DPP authorities and the adverse impact of the new crown epidemic, the voices of people on both sides of the strait for exchanges, cooperation and peaceful development have never weakened.
No matter from the current or long-term perspective, the mainland is still the most solid support for Taiwan's development, and the continuous advancement of the mainland's high-quality development has provided new opportunities for cross-strait economic and trade exchanges.
Taiwan business groups are traveling across the sea for exchanges, Taiwanese people are looking forward to the complete restart of the "miniature three links", and the real voice of the grassroots looking forward to interaction is being amplified and heard by more people.
The road is obstructed and long, but the journey is approaching.
The mainland is firmly committed to promoting cross-strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, and deepening cross-strait integration and development in various fields.
The road ahead for cross-Straits relations still faces turmoil and risks.
Even so, cross-strait exchanges, especially exchanges between people, should not be interrupted.
This is a true reflection of mainstream public opinion on both sides of the strait.
The "Taiwan Road" old street in the ancient city of Zhangzhou, Fujian Province highlights the historical origins of Zhangzhou and Taiwan.
Photo by Gong Wen
One example is that despite the difficulty in cross-strait youth exchanges in recent years, Taiwanese students' enthusiasm for westward travel has not diminished.
Taiwanese students who came to the mainland through the exchange student program are active on social media on both sides of the strait, objectively showing life in the mainland.
They told the China News Agency reporter that they regard the experience in the mainland as a valuable "plus point" in life, "whether they return to Taiwan or stay in the mainland, it is a good reference and foreshadowing."
When the haze of the epidemic gradually dissipates, the top priority is to eliminate interference, overcome obstacles, and restore all-round and in-depth exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait in various fields as soon as possible.
Let compatriots on both sides of the strait clearly see the facts and recognize the truth through exchanges and integration, and more and more people on both sides of the strait will devote themselves more and more deeply to the tide of cross-strait integration and development.
On December 2, the 10th Strait Youth Festival "Yellow Lane · Cross-Strait Youth Cultural Exchange Week" kicked off in Huang Lane, Sanfang Qixiang, Fuzhou City, and Taichung City, Taiwan held at the same time.
Photo by Lu Ming
The so-called "meeting each other is deep, and we can know each other without words", the more someone alienates compatriots' feelings and incites compatriots' hostility, the more precious the blood and blood of compatriots on both sides of the strait can be seen; the more they are in the trough and danger of cross-strait relations , the more we need to cherish exchanges, the more we need to call for exchanges.
The brothers are both Xie, harmonious and cheerful.
The blood connection is the most continuous driving force for cross-strait relations to move towards each other.
The annual Chinese character selection places the New Year wishes of people on both sides of the strait, and reflects the common expectations of compatriots on both sides of the strait.
(use up)