Xi Jinping emphasized that cross-Strait relations are at a new critical point. How cross-Strait relations should move forward is a major issue facing all political parties and society stakeholders on both sides of the Strait, which concerns the future of the Chinese nation and the country, as well as the well-being of hundreds of millions of people. This requires us all to think carefully. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Kuomintang (KMT) must strengthen communication, draw lessons from our experience, explore and innovate, create new prospects for the development of cross-Strait relations, and work together to shape the future of cross-Strait relations and build a cross-Strait community of common destiny. 

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee, met with the delegation of the Kuomintang (KMT) led by Chairman Eric Chu to the mainland in Beijing on the morning of May 4. 

Xi Jinping welcomed Eric Chu and his delegation to the mainland. He said that ten years ago, at a time of dramatic turmoil in cross-Strait relations, the two parties broke through historical barriers to reconcile and jointly explore ways to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait for the sake of the community of common destiny across the Taiwan Strait. Over the past ten years, the joint efforts of the two parties and compatriots on both sides have opened up a bright prospect for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, bringing tangible benefits to compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The efforts have gained widespread recognition and support from our Taiwan compatriots and the international community alike. 

Xi Jinping emphasized that we have achieved hard-earned results in the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and the experience is invaluable. To summarize, we must adhere to the road of peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, adhere to the political foundation of the “1992 Consensus” and opposing “Taiwan independence,” carry out cross-Strait consultations and negotiations, promote exchange and cooperation in all sectors, and work for the well-being of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. 

Xi Jinping pointed out that the compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share the same roots, culture, and ethnic identity, and have always shared the same fate. In a world that is increasingly globalized, we on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are more closely related than ever. We are one inseparable community with a common destiny. In the face of the new situation, the CCP and the KMT, as well as other parties on both sides must uphold confidence, enhance mutual trust, maintain the process of peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and work together to build a cross-Strait community of destiny. Xi put forward five points in this regard. 

First, adherence to the “1992 Consensus” and opposition to “Taiwan independence” is the political foundation for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. The core of this is the agreement that the mainland and Taiwan belong to the same China. Denying the “1992 Consensus,” challenging the legal basis that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the same China, engaging in “one country on each side” or “one China, one Taiwan” will harm the fundamental interests of the nation, the state, and the people, and shake the cornerstone of cross-Strait relations, in which case there can be no peace or development. We always see the adherence to the “1992 Consensus” as the basis for our interaction with the authorities and political parties in Taiwan. The two parties must see cross-Strait relations in the right light and oppose all words and actions that undermine its political basis. We must not let the hard-earned peace in the Taiwan Strait and the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations be lost again. To this end, the two sides could actively explore the construction of an institutional framework for maintaining the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. 

Second, the purpose of peaceful development of cross-Strait relations is to further integrate interests across the Taiwan Strait, to create mutual benefits and win-win situations, and to promote the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. We must fully consider the feelings of the societies on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and strive to expand the availability and accessibility of benefits to people on both sides, particularly for the grassroots, small and medium-sized enterprises, farmers and fishermen, and young entrepreneurs. We must provide them with more opportunities and bring more compatriots on both sides into the fold. To this end, we are willing to take the initiative and offer opportunities for development to our compatriots in Taiwan first, and to increase our openness. We will continue to defend the legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan-funded enterprises in the mainland and create better conditions for their growth. On the issue of Taiwan’s participation in regional economic cooperation, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait may further research and negotiate to make suitable arrangements without violating the one-China principle. Taiwan has expressed its willingness to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and we welcome it. 

Third, cross-Strait exchanges, ultimately, are between individuals, from heart to heart. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should treat each other with sincerity, respect differences, enhance understanding, and continuously strengthen national and cultural identity. The culture of China is a spiritual wealth shared by compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and a spiritual bond that keeps us together. Compatriots on both sides should strengthen cultural exchange, take advantage of their respective strengths, and work together to pass on the traditions of Chinese culture, build a common spiritual home, and achieve spiritual unity. We on both sides must keep facilitating the direct interaction of compatriots. We will implement measures to further facilitate the travel of compatriots across the Taiwan Strait in due course. Young people are the future of the nation, and the future of both sides of the Taiwan Strait. We must give more care to our youth on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, provide them with more opportunities, and encourage them to become friends and partners who can work together. 

Fourth, the CCP and KMT, as well as other parties on both sides, must see the big picture, respect each other, seek common ground while reserving differences, increase common ground and resolve differences, and continuously enhance political mutual trust. There have been political differences and issues standing between us for a long time. We, the CCP and KMT, must face them, and try to resolve them with the combined wisdom of our compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The two sides can negotiate on an equal footing and make reasonable arrangements under the one-China principle. The key is to “think before we act, and act with the right timing.” As long as we uphold love and empathy, both sides of the Taiwan Strait will be able to find a solution to the problem. 

Fifth, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation requires everyone to work together. As long as compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and Chinese people all over the world unite, under the same ideal and working towards the same goal, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will be within reach. We sincerely hope that the two parties will uphold the national ideal, take up the sacred responsibility of working for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the well-being of the people on both sides of the Strait, take on the sacred responsibility of seeking peace in the Taiwan Strait,  unite all parties and factions and people from all sectors on both sides, strive to create a new future for cross-Strait relations, work together towards the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and let the Chinese nation stand tall among all nations in the world. 

Eric Chu expressed that in 1992, under the joint efforts of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits and the Straits Exchange Foundation, we reached the “1992 Consensus” that the two sides belong to the same China, and on this basis, the two sides have held many talks to transform the confrontation and strife across the Taiwan Strait into cooperation and exchange. After 2005, the KMT incorporated the “1992 Consensus” into its party manifesto. Suggestions from the Cross-Strait Economic, Trade and Cultural Forum have also been gradually implemented into communications and cooperation. We on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are the same Chinese nation and a community of common destiny. Given all the achievements we have made, we hope that on the basis of the “1992 Consensus,” the two sides of the Taiwan Strait will work together on regional peace, environmental protection, and economic integration, so that the fruits of cross-Strait relations will benefit more of the people in general, small and medium-sized enterprises and youth groups, and continue to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. 

The meeting was also attended by Wang Huning and Li Zhanshu (members of the Political Bureau of the CCP Central Committee), and Yang Jiechi (State Councilor).