Commentary: Normal exchanges between the two sides of the strait need to be restored urgently, which is related to the well-being of the people

　　China News Agency, Beijing, January 19th, title: Normal exchanges between the two sides of the strait, which are related to the well-being of the people, urgently need to be restored

　　China News Agency reporter Rong Haisheng

　　As the Spring Festival is approaching, relevant parties in the mainland are actively expanding destinations and increasing transportation capacity to provide convenience for Taiwan compatriots to return home for the New Year.

Reunion is the common expectation of compatriots on both sides of the strait; personnel exchanges are also in line with the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the strait.

The DPP authorities should comply with public opinion, remove obstacles, and resume normal cross-strait exchanges as soon as possible.

　　Looking back on the past year, despite the impact of the new crown epidemic and the artificial obstacles of the DPP authorities, the mainland has always insisted on promoting cross-strait exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and deepening cross-strait integration and development.

　　According to Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, from the beginning of 2022 to the end of 2022, there will be more than 1,000 cross-strait exchange activities in various fields and sectors, which fully reflects the strong internal demand and large development space for cross-strait exchanges in various fields.

Compatriots from all walks of life on both sides of the strait have expressed their expectations in these exchange activities, hoping that cross-strait exchanges will resume normalization at an early date.

　　It is the common aspiration of compatriots on both sides of the strait to communicate and cooperate.

On January 7 this year, the cross-strait "miniature three links" sea passenger route, which had been suspended for nearly three years, was partially resumed. This channel goes to Taiwan.

　　The mainland has actively supported relevant parties to increase transport capacity and increase cross-strait flights. It is estimated that between January 8th and 31st, Shanghai Pudong Airport will have an average of 8 two-way passenger flights to and from Taiwan.

The mainland originally had 61 cross-strait air passenger destinations. Since the outbreak, the DPP authorities have unilaterally closed most of them. At present, there are only 4 mainland destinations.

　　In 2019 before the epidemic, the total number of cross-strait personnel exchanges was about 9 million, of which more than 6 million Taiwan compatriots came to the mainland.

Today, the "miniature three links" and air passenger waypoints that are only partially resumed are far from meeting the expectations of compatriots on both sides of the strait.

　　Facts have proved that the mainland has always been a solid support for Taiwan's development. The mainland's continuous promotion of high-quality development will not only provide opportunities for cross-strait exchanges and cooperation, but will eventually benefit the people of Taiwan.

　　In 2023, with the optimization of epidemic prevention and control and the continuous emergence of the effects of various policies such as stabilizing economic growth, the mainland's economic operation is expected to rebound in general, and many international organizations and institutions have raised the expected value of the mainland's economic growth.

　　In contrast to Taiwan, near the end of the year, Taiwan’s major institutions have successively issued annual economic forecasts that Taiwan’s economic growth rate in 2023 will be lower than 3%.

More surveys show that Taiwanese people have an average expectation of Taiwan's economic growth rate of 2.2% in 2023, and an average inflation expectation of 2.3%.

　　"I think about my hometown tonight, and the Ming Dynasty will be another year." In fact, facing the expectations of the people, the answer before the DPP authorities is very simple. Returning home, or other daily exchanges, are not only necessary to improve the well-being of the people, but also promote mutual benefit and win-win economic development across the Taiwan Strait.

　　It is hoped that the DPP authorities will remove all kinds of unreasonable obstacles, so that the normalization of personnel exchanges and public exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait can be resumed as soon as possible.

(Finish)