China News Agency, Beijing, February 26. Question: In response to challenges, why do cross-strait relations emphasize "integration"?
China News Agency reporter Li Hanxue
At the beginning of the new year, due to factors such as the new crown epidemic, the normal exchanges between the two sides of the strait, which has been blocked for three years, show signs of loosening; although there are many challenges, the voices of the two sides of the strait for "integration" are more clear and sincere.
This year's National Two Sessions, many parties on both sides of the Strait are concerned about what new information the mainland will release and how to substantially promote cross-strait integration.
Data map: On February 19, the "Jishun No. 9" passenger ship carrying 59 passengers slowly entered Fuzhou Lianjiang Huangqi Passenger Terminal, marking the resumption of the "Mini Three Links" passenger route from Lianjiang Huangqi to Matsu Baisha.
The picture shows folks on both sides of the strait embracing excitedly at Huangqi Ferry Terminal.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Zhang Bin
The storm is raging, and the mainland takes the lead
In 2022, cross-strait relations will be complicated and severe. The "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and the interference of external forces once caused tension and turmoil.
However, the relevant developments have not shaken the overall pattern of cross-strait relations.
Li Peng, dean of the Taiwan Research Institute at Xiamen University, said in an interview that in the face of storms, the mainland still firmly grasps the dominance and initiative in cross-strait relations.
The Chinese government issued a white paper titled "Taiwan Issue and the Cause of China's Reunification in the New Era," which systematically expounded the mainland's position and policies on promoting complete national reunification in the new era, fully demonstrating the firm will and determination of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people to pursue the reunification of the motherland; The big report reaffirms the prospect of striving for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and best efforts, which reflects the strategic determination and historical patience of the Chinese Communist Party on the Taiwan issue.
"We have the ability to overcome risks and challenges, and we can maintain a high degree of confidence in this." Li Peng said.
Data map: Yuanyuan Garden on both sides of Gongwang, located in Huanggongwang Village, Fuyang, Hangzhou, Zhejiang.
Photo by Guo Qiyu
Think stable, don't "anti-China" but develop
Inside Taiwan, the people who are disturbed by the turmoil in the Taiwan Strait are more aware of the DPP's political manipulation of "resisting China and protecting Taiwan".
Sheng Jiuyuan, director of the Taiwan Studies Center of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said in an interview that the results of the new round of local elections on the island clearly show that creating "China fear" anxiety will not bring back support for those who seek "independence" from the public, and very few people respond to political slogans.
Since last year, the dividends brought by "telecommuting" to Taiwan's electronics industry during the epidemic have faded. The amount of Taiwan's export orders has continued to decline since September 2022. Inflation and interest rate rise pressures continue to impact Taiwan's business operations and household economy.
Sheng Jiuyuan believes that Taiwan's economic decline has exceeded expectations, and only by expanding cross-strait economic and trade cooperation can it inject momentum into Taiwan's future development, which further highlights the inevitability of deepening cross-strait economic and trade exchanges and cooperation.
From Taiwan's major industrial and commercial organizations revealing their plans for visits and exchanges to the mainland at the beginning of this year, to the intensification of exchanges after the resumption of the "miniature three links", it can be seen that the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have an urgent desire for interaction and exchanges.
As the epidemic eases, the mainland's economy once again shows resilience and vitality, and will continue to be a solid reliance for Taiwan's development.
In the next stage, strengthening cross-strait exchanges and integration is a wish, a demand, and a reality, and it is the right path to promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.
Sheng Jiuyuan believes that after experiencing the increasingly severe situation of cross-strait relations in 2022, "the main theme of future exchanges and cooperation will hardly be reversed."
Data map: "Followers love each other and one family · Chinese New Year reunion and fellowship activities for Zhangzhou and Taiwan compatriots" held in the ancient city of Zhangzhou, Fujian Province.
Strong and soft, anti-"independence" promotes fusion and releases signals
Judging from the recent actions of the DPP authorities, although they have responded to the people's demands for peace and dialogue, they are still vacillating between public opinion and political self-interest.
Since last year, observers have generally noticed that the mainland is still patient with the prospect of peaceful reunification, and the measures to oppose "independence" and promote reunification are both firm and soft.
At the National Two Sessions, how the government work report will expound the two major aspects of anti-interference and "Taiwan independence" and strengthening cross-strait exchanges and integrated development has attracted much attention.
Li Peng believes that since the Taiwan region will usher in a new leadership election in less than a year, the overall situation of complex and severe cross-strait relations may not change in 2023, and emergencies may increase. The mainland needs to be fully prepared to deal with challenges .
Under such circumstances, the anti-"Taiwan independence" split and foreign interference mentioned in the Taiwan-related part of the report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China are expected to continue to be emphasized in this year's two sessions.
On the other hand, the work of strengthening cross-strait integration and development is more urgent.
From the Taiwan-related part of General Secretary Xi Jinping's New Year's greetings to the recent press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, they all clearly released signals to enhance cross-strait exchanges.
Li Peng said that small steps such as the restoration of the "small three links" to open exchanges obviously cannot satisfy the desire of compatriots on both sides of the strait for exchanges. At present, both sides of the strait need to work together to break the DPP authorities' attempt to politicize cross-strait exchanges and unreasonable restrictions, so that cross-strait exchanges can be normalized .
In addition, promoting cross-strait exchanges and integration also means promoting broader and deeper communication, dialogue, and consultation.
Song Tao, Director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, pointed out in his New Year message that on the basis of the one-China principle and the "1992 Consensus," extensive and in-depth consultations will be carried out with people of insight from all walks of life in Taiwan on cross-strait relations and national reunification.
Sheng Jiuyuan believes that how to further carry out cross-strait non-governmental consultations and dialogues at all levels this year will also attract attention.
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