The report to the 20th Party Congress made by General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes adhering to the Party’s overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era, provides fundamental guidance and action guidelines for doing a good job of Taiwan work in the new era, and has great and far-reaching significance for the new journey to promote the process of unifying the motherland.

I. The Party’s overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era is the precious crystallization and fundamental guidance on upholding righteousness and innovating in Taiwan work since the 18th Party Congress

Resolving the Taiwan issue and achieving the complete reunification of the motherland is the Party’s unwavering historical task, the common aspiration of all sons and daughters of China, and an inevitable requirement for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. For a long time, our Party has struggled unremittingly and made great efforts to this end. Since the 18th Party Congress, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era, and the Chinese nation has ushered in a great leap, from standing up to growing rich and becoming strong. It is more capable, more confident, and closer to achieving the complete reunification of the motherland than ever before. At the same time, the pace of changes unseen in a century is accelerating, and the United States is increasing its efforts to “use Taiwan to control China,” so the Taiwan issue faces a new strategic environment. General Secretary Xi Jinping has integrated the overall strategic situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the unprecedented changes in the world, grasped the historical trends and changes of the times, enriched and developed the theory of national reunification and policies on Taiwan, formed the overall strategy of the Party for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era, guided the work on Taiwan in order to overcome difficulties and move forward, and written a chapter on Taiwan for a decade of great changes in the new era.

We have: (1) Promoted new breakthroughs in cross-Strait political exchanges, achieving the first meeting between leaders across the Taiwan Strait since 1949 and direct dialogue and communication, and setting a historic benchmark for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations; (2) carried out dialogue and consultation among all sectors across the Taiwan Strait, and taken new steps in equal consultation and joint discussion on reunification based on the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, guiding cross-Strait relations in the right direction; (3) led the deepening of cross-Strait integrated development, shared development opportunities with Taiwan compatriots, implemented equal treatment, and introduced a series of policies and initiatives to benefit Taiwan compatriots and create a superimposed effect, thereby enhancing the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait; (4) effectively addressed the changes, risks, and challenges in the situation in the Taiwan Strait, and resolutely countered “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and provocative acts of foreign interference, achieving new results in the struggle against secession and interference, and strengthening the historical trend of reunification; and (5) joined hands to realize the ambition of the Chinese dream, inspired our Taiwan compatriots to be participants in and beneficiaries of national rejuvenation and to be righteous Chinese people with a sense of identity and pride, and gathered together the majestic power of unity and struggle.

The most distinctive feature of the decade of work on Taiwan in the new era is to firmly grasp the initiative in cross-Strait relations. The most critical factor is the historic achievements and changes in the cause of the Party and the state. The most important revelation is that the time, momentum, and righteousness of reunification are always on the side of the motherland. The most fundamental guarantee is the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, and the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

II. We must profoundly grasp the rich connotations and significance of the Party’s overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era

Since the 18th Party Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has made a series of important statements on Taiwan work, given a series of important instructions, and put forward a series of new ideas and new strategies. The 19th Party Congress further established the basic strategy of adhering to “One Country, Two Systems” and promoting the reunification of the motherland. At the meeting to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the publication of the Letter to Taiwan Compatriots, General Secretary Xi Jinping systematically announced major policy propositions for promoting the peaceful reunification of the motherland in the new era. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th CCP Central Committee clearly adhered to and improved the institutional system of “One Country, Two Systems” and promoted the peaceful reunification of the motherland. The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CCP Central Committee put forward for the first time the Party’s overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era.

The Party’s overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era is rich in connotations, logical and systematic, and profoundly answers major theoretical and practical issues such as the fundamental guarantee, historical orientation, strategic thinking, general policy, political foundation, practical path, fundamental driving force, inevitable requirement, external condition, and strategic support for advancing on the new journey of unifying the motherland in the new era. It embodies General Secretary Xi Jinping’s leadership qualities—strong sense of mission-bearing, deep national sentiment, clear stand on the side of the people, broad historical vision, dialectical strategic thinking, and strong spirit of struggle—and has clearly shown the direction for resolving the Taiwan issue and achieving the complete reunification of the motherland in the new era, which will require long-term adherence and full implementation.

The report to the 20th Party Congress emphasizes adherence to the implementation of the Party’s overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era, which provides fundamental guidance and action guidelines for doing a good job on Taiwan in the new era.

First is adhering to the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee in work on Taiwan. This is the fundamental guarantee of reunification. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the Party’s overall leadership, especially the centralized and unified leadership of the Party, must be adhered to, and the Party’s leadership must be implemented in all areas and aspects of Party and state undertakings. The work on Taiwan is an important part of Party and state undertakings, and it is necessary to implement strengthening of the Party’s centralized and unified leadership in the whole process of work on Taiwan in all its aspects. We should further clarify where the strengths, keys, and fundamentals are for doing work on Taiwan well. We must properly grasp the relationship between the Party’s overall leadership and giving full play to the enthusiasm of all parties, turn the advantages of the political system into effectiveness in work on Taiwan, and consolidate the pattern of coordinated nationwide effort on Taiwan, so as to provide a more powerful pooling of efforts for promoting the great cause of reunification.

Second is to insist on promoting the reunification of the motherland in the process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. This is the historical orientation of reunification. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the rejuvenation of the nation and national reunification is the great trend; it is where great righteousness lies, and it is the common aspiration of the people. National reunification is the historical inevitability as the Chinese nation progresses towards great rejuvenation. The Taiwan issue arose out of national weakness and chaos and will surely be resolved with the rejuvenation of the nation. We should further clarify the important position of national reunification in the overall situation of national rejuvenation strategy. It is necessary to grasp the relationship between national reunification and national rejuvenation, grasp the historical momentum, grasp the historical initiative, and inject more proactive moral force into promoting the great cause of reunification.

Third is to insist on resolving the Taiwan issue based on the development and progress of the motherland. This is the strategic thinking of reunification. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that fundamentally, the key factor in determining the direction of cross-Strait relations is the development and progress of the motherland. We must maintain the momentum of our own development while adopting the right policies and measures to do a good job in Taiwan work. We should further clarify the necessary and sufficient conditions for resolving the Taiwan issue. It is necessary to grasp the relationship between the development of hard power and development of soft power, base the development of the country and the nation on our own strength, properly manage our own affairs, and continue to enhance our influence on, and attractiveness and appeal to, Taiwan, thereby laying a more solid foundation for promoting the great cause of reunification.

Fourth is to adhere to the basic policy of “peaceful reunification and One Country, Two Systems.” This is the general policy of reunification. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the national reunification we seek is not only formal reunification, but more importantly, the spiritual harmony of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. “Peaceful reunification and One Country, Two Systems” is the basic policy for resolving the Taiwan issue and the best way to achieve cross-Strait reunification. It is in the best interest of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and the Chinese nation. We are willing to create a wide space for peaceful reunification and make efforts to explore “two systems” Taiwan solutions. We should further clarify the connotations and form of high-quality reunification. It is necessary to grasp the relationship between “one country” and “two systems,” have steadfast institutional confidence, continue to open up new horizons in the practical exploration of “one country, two systems,” and provide better institutional assurances for advancing the great cause of reunification.

Fifth is to adhere to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus. This is the political foundation of reunification. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the one-China principle is the political foundation of cross-Strait relations. The 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle, is the key to ensuring the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. On this basis, we are willing to engage in dialogue and communication with various parties, groups, and individuals in Taiwan on cross-Strait political issues and the peaceful reunification of the motherland, and carry out democratic consultations on cross-Strait relations and the future of the nation with representative individuals elected by political parties and sectors on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. We should further clarify the basis and modalities of joint discussions on reunification. It is necessary to grasp the relationship between firm principles and flexible strategies, adhere to the one-China principle, conduct extensive dialogue and consultation, and build a broader social consensus for advancing the great cause of reunification.

Sixth is to insist on promoting the peaceful development and integration of cross-Strait relations. This is the practical path to reunification. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations is the right path for maintaining cross-Strait peace, promoting common development, and benefiting compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and is also a bright path to peaceful reunification. It is necessary to deepen cross-Strait integration and development, take the lead in sharing development opportunities with Taiwan compatriots, provide equal treatment, expand and deepen cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, grow the Chinese national economy, jointly promote Chinese culture, and build a cross-Strait community of common destiny. We should further clarify the path to peaceful reunification. It is necessary to grasp the relationships between peaceful development, integrated development, and peaceful reunification, enhance the expectations and momentum of reunification, achieve a high degree of unity on the process and purpose of reunification, and provide better conditions for advancing the great cause of reunification.

Seventh is to insist on the unity of Taiwan compatriots, and winning the hearts and minds of the people of Taiwan. This is the fundamental driving force of reunification. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that we should uphold the concept of “one family on both sides of the Taiwan Strait,” properly implement people-centered development thinking in the work on Taiwan, and treat our compatriots in Taiwan equally, serving the interests of our compatriots in Taiwan just as we do the people of the mainland. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should join hands and work together to achieve the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The great motherland is the strong backing of all patriotic reunification forces. We should further clarify the forces to rely on and the spiritual banner for reunification. It is necessary to grasp the relationship between consistency and diversity, pay attention to the “return of hearts,” persevere in doing work regarding the people of Taiwan, and gather more magnificent forces to promote the great cause of reunification.

Eighth is to insist on crushing “Taiwan independence” secessionist plots. This is the inevitable requirement for reunification. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that “Taiwan independence” is the biggest obstacle to the reunification of the motherland. It is a serious threat to national rejuvenation. We will never allow anyone, any organization, any political party, at any time, in any form, to split any piece of Chinese territory from China. We have the firm will, full confidence, and sufficient ability to defeat any form of “Taiwan independence” secessionist plot. We should further clarify our attitude and determination to not tolerate “Taiwan independence” secession. We must grasp the relationship between treating the symptoms and the root cause, resolutely combat “Taiwan independence” secessionist acts, clarify the social and ideological roots of “Taiwan independence,” and thoroughly remove the obstacles and hidden dangers for promoting the great cause of reunification.

Ninth is to insist on opposing the interference of external forces. This is the external condition for reunification. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that Taiwan is China’s Taiwan. The resolution of the Taiwan issue is a matter for the Chinese themselves and should be decided by the Chinese. The Taiwan issue is an internal affair of China. It concerns the core interests of China and the national sentiments of the Chinese people and does not brook any external interference. No one should underestimate the strong determination, firm will, and strong ability of the Chinese people to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. We should further clarify the nature and prominent risks of the Taiwan issue. We must grasp the relationship between gaining international understanding and support and opposing external interference, resolutely fight against the practices of playing the “Taiwan card” and “using Taiwan to control China,” and consolidate the international community’s adherence to the one-China principle, so as to create a more favorable external environment for promoting the great cause of reunification.

Tenth is to insist on never promising to renounce the use of force. This is the strategic support for reunification. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that we will never promise to renounce the use of force and will retain the option to take all necessary measures. This is aimed at the interference of external forces and a very small number of “Taiwan independence” separatists and their separatist activities, never at the majority of Taiwan compatriots. We should further clarify that reunification must adhere to the use of both hands, grasp the relationship between peaceful and non-peaceful methods, always do a good job of preparing both hands, and ensure that both hands are hard, so as to provide more reliable means for promoting the great cause of reunification.

The Party’s overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era is an important part of Xi Jinping thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, an inheritance and development of our Party’s major policies toward Taiwan, and a crystallization of wisdom from our Party’s century-long history of struggle for the reunification of the motherland. It is a unified epistemology and methodology for achieving reunification, and a distillation of our Party’s views on national reunification, marking a more mature and definitive theory of national reunification for our Party.

III. Deeply grasp the practical requirements of the Party’s overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era

The report to the 20th Party Congress makes strategic plans for Taiwan work in the coming period. We must implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress and put into practice the Party’s overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era in all aspects and processes of work on Taiwan.

(1) Grasp the historical initiative and firmly promote the process of reunifying the motherland. General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed the need to grasp the historical initiative and create new and great historic achievements. The report to the 20th Party Congress grasps the irreversible historical trend of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, plans out the work on Taiwan based on the overall development of the Party and the state, and proposes to “firmly grasp the leading position and initiative in cross-Strait relations, and unswervingly promote the great cause of the reunification of the motherland, which is the goal of work on Taiwan.” The 20th Party Congress will vigorously promote the motherland’s modernization and construction process, and we should give full play to the spirit of historical initiative, transforming our growing comprehensive strength and significant institutional advantages into powerful momentum for advancing the reunification process. The report adheres to the policy of “peaceful reunification and One Country, Two Systems.” It emphasizes that “we will strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and make the utmost efforts, but we will never promise to abandon the use of force and will retain the option of taking all necessary measures,” with the aim of fundamentally safeguarding the prospects for the peaceful reunification of the motherland and promoting the development of the motherland. This reflects our Party’s appreciation of national justice, the well-being of compatriots, and cross-Strait peace, and our profound grasp of the future and destiny of the Chinese nation and the overall development of the country, and it demonstrates our strategic confidence and determination.

(2) Promote the people’s well-being and deepen cross-Strait integration and development in various fields. General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed the need to enhance the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and realize their aspirations for a better life. The report to the 20th Party Congress proposed to “continue to promote cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, deepen cross-Strait integration and development in various fields, improve institutions and policies for enhancing the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, push for the joint promotion of Chinese culture across the Taiwan Strait, and promote the spiritual ties between compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait,” highlighting the people-centered development ideology and the unchanging original intention of working for the well-being of compatriots. Economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation are the “two wheels” for developing cross-Strait relations, and are important channels for promoting common development across the Taiwan Strait and enhancing the well-being of compatriots, so it is necessary to tighten the links of interests and the emotional ties between compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and forge a sense of a cross-Strait community of common destiny. Cross-Strait integration and development in various fields being the basic project of peaceful reunification, it is necessary to make greater strides on the new road of exploring cross-Strait integration and development, and support Fujian in taking the lead in building a cross-Strait integration and development demonstration zone. We must support Taiwan compatriots and enterprises in seizing the broad development space and development opportunities brought by the 20th Party Congress, better integrating into the new development pattern, and participating in high-quality development. It is the right of Taiwan compatriots, as Chinese citizens, to share in well-being with the people of the mainland. We must actively implement equal treatment, protect the rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots in accordance with law, and continuously enhance their sense of gain and sense of identity. Chinese culture is the root and soul of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. It is the most natural link, the deepest force, and the most unbreakable bond in cross-Strait relations, and it fundamentally determines that “Taiwan independence” secession is bound to fail. We must jointly promote Chinese culture, enhance Chinese cultural identity and self-confidence, and build a common spiritual home.

The Cross-Strait Youth Development Forum is an important platform for youth on both sides to discuss exchanges and cooperation and seek integrated development. Five consecutive sessions have been held in Zhejiang Province since 2018, receiving widespread attention from all walks of life on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

(3) Carry forward the spirit of struggle, and resolutely smash “Taiwan independence” secession and foreign interference schemes. General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed the need to strengthen the will to fight and enhance fighting skills. Reunification is a process of continuously struggling with the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and foreign interference forces until the ultimate victory. For some time now, Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have insisted on the wrong position of “Taiwan independence,” and refused to recognize the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, willingly becoming a pawn of external forces to curb China, and continuously carrying out “independence” provocations. The United States is playing the “Taiwan card,” hollowing out the one-China principle, raising the level of U.S.-Taiwan exchanges, and increasing arms sales to Taiwan in an attempt to obstruct the process of China’s reunification and national rejuvenation. The report to the 20th Party Congress emphasizes the spirit of struggle, draws a bottom line and red line, and shows the determination and confidence to fight and win. We must enhance our sense of urgency, adhere to bottom-line thinking, dare to struggle and be good at it, consolidate and expand the results of the struggle against secession and interference, resolutely defeat “Taiwan independence” provocations and external interference, firmly defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and create a stable environment in the Taiwan Strait for the development of the Party and the state.

(4) Promote unity and struggle, and join hands to create the great historic achievements of national rejuvenation and the reunification of the motherland. General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that unity and struggle is the only way for the Chinese people to create great historic achievements. The report of the 20th Party Congress highlights the importance of unity and struggle. Taiwan compatriots are members of the Chinese nation. They are an important force for developing cross-Strait relations and promoting the reunification of the motherland, and the patriotic reunification forces on the island are its backbone. We must unite with the majority of our compatriots in Taiwan, firmly support the island’s patriotic reunification forces, and together grasp the historical trend, adhere to national righteousness, firmly oppose “independence,” and promote unity. Compatriots on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family, linked by blood. We must always respect, care for, and benefit our compatriots in Taiwan, working long and hard toward success. We must enhance the knowledge and feelings of our compatriots in Taiwan, especially the youth, about the nation and the country, deepen their understanding that reunification has advantages, “Taiwan independence” is a dead end, and outsiders cannot be relied on. We must guide them to consciously join the glorious cause of the reunification of the motherland and national rejuvenation. Cross-Strait affairs are the family affairs of compatriots on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and should of course be handled by family members. We are willing to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and promote the peaceful reunification of the motherland on the basis of the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, promote carrying out extensive and in-depth consultations on cross-Strait relations and national reunification with Taiwan’s parties and factions, and people from all sectors and walks of life, and jointly promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and advance the process of peacefully reunifying the motherland, and so create a better future for all Chinese people.