Xi says Chinese mainland, Taiwan are a community of shared future, can't be separated

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, called on Friday on compatriots across the Taiwan Straits to uphold the one-China principle, oppose "Taiwan independence" and expand communications in all areas.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with Lien Chan, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. It was Xi's fourth meeting with Lien since Xi became general secretary of the CPC Central Committee in late 2012.

People across the Straits should firmly uphold the 1992 Consensus and oppose "Taiwan independence", Xi said, adding that "Taiwan independence", which would undermine national sovereignty and territorial integrity and destroy the peace and stability of the Straits, could only bring disaster for the compatriots.

The "Taiwan independence" forces will not be allowed to make waves, Xi warned, adding that any misbehavior aimed at splitting the country will definitely be defeated.

People across the Straits should resolutely oppose and deter "Taiwan independence", Xi said.

He expressed full confidence and sufficient capability to push the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and to carry forward the nation's peaceful unification process.

The peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and the fulfillment of national rejuvenation are in accord with the overall interests of the nation, Xi said, adding that it is the right path that will benefit all people on both sides of the Straits.

Despite the ups and downs of cross-Straits relations, people on both sides of the Straits have never been separated in terms of their ethnic and cultural recognition and their feelings, Xi said.

The Chinese mainland and Taiwan are a community of shared future that cannot be separated, Xi said, adding that the people's longing for better and closer cross-Straits relations cannot be blocked by anyone.

Xi called for stronger belief and more unified efforts from people of the mainland and Taiwan to go on the right path.

Xi said cross-Straits cooperation should be enhanced, and enlarging exchanges is in line with the common interests of the compatriots on both sides of the Straits.

Disagreements on some issues between the mainland and Taiwan people should not affect normal cross-Straits exchanges, and nor should they become excuses to hinder cooperation across the Straits, Xi said.

Xi expressed full understanding of Taiwan compatriots' special mentality and full respect for the current social system and lifestyle of Taiwan compatriots. Meanwhile, the mainland compatriots have made remarkable achievements after a long time of hard work, which also deserves respect from Taiwan compatriots, Xi added.

The mainland authorities will make efforts unswervingly to make benefits for the people on both sides of the Straits, Xi said, adding that the mainland authorities have solemnly promised to provide equal treatment for Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan companies step by step.

The 31 measures put forward by the mainland in February to boost economic and cultural exchanges have received a positive response from all walks of life on both sides of the Straits, Xi said, adding that the mainland authorities will research more measures to boost cross-Straits exchanges.

It has been the greatest dream of the Chinese nation to fulfill national rejuvenation, and Taiwan people should not be absent in the process of fulfilling rejuvenation, Xi said.

Lien said that in 2005, the CPC and Kuomintang jointly put forward five points for peaceful development, which pushed the cross-Straits relations onto the right track under the common ground of sticking to the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence".