Xi Jinping emphasized that compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are connected by our flesh even if our bones are broken (打断骨头连着筋的同胞兄弟), a family whose blood is thicker than water. We must take actions to demonstrate to the world that the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have the ability and wisdom to solve our own issues and make greater contributions to global and regional peace and stability, development, and prosperity.

The two sides of the Taiwan Strait must adhere to the “1992 Consensus,” consolidate the common political foundation, firmly follow the path of peaceful development, deepen cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, enhance the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and work together for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. 

Singapore, November 7 (Chen Binhua, Meng Na, and Wang Cong, Xinhua)—Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee, met with Ma Ying-jeou, leader of Taiwan, on the afternoon of November 7 in Singapore to exchange views on furthering the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. This was the first meeting of leaders from both sides of the Taiwan Strait since 1949. 

Xi Jinping pointed out that today is a very special day. The meeting of leaders across the Taiwan Strait turned a historic page in cross-Strait relations. This day will be remembered by history. There was a time when uncertainty hung over the Taiwan Strait, with military confrontation across the Strait. Compatriots were separated and families were cut off from each other, leaving countless families with heartfelt pains and even irreparable regrets. However, the Strait cannot cut off kinship, nor can it stop the yearning of our compatriots for their homeland and reunion with their families. The power of kinship finally broke open the door of the cross-Strait blockade in the 1980s and, since 2008, cross-Strait relations have embarked on a path of peaceful development. Over the past seven years, the situation in the Taiwan Strait has been stable and peaceful, and the development of cross-Strait relations has been fruitful. Many people and parties on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have put a lot of effort into this. This historic day is made possible because of all the hard work over the past seven years. 

President Xi pointed out that the 66-year history of cross-Strait relations shows that no matter how many storms compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have weathered and how long they have been isolated, no force can separate us. As of now, cross-Strait relations are facing a crossroad, where decisions are required. We must draw inspiration from the past, be responsible for the nation and history, and make the right choices that can withstand the test of history. 

Xi Jinping emphasized that the reason why we are here together is to prevent the recurrence of historical tragedies, to defend achievements we have made in cross-Strait relations, to make sure that compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait continue to live in peace and happiness, and to create a bright future that our children and grandchildren will share with each other. In the face of the new situation, standing on a new starting point of cross-Strait relations, we on both sides must value the collective interests of the nation, keep pace with the times, and work together to consolidate the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. To this end, he put forward four points. 

First, unwaveringly adhere to the common political foundation across the Taiwan Strait. The key to the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations over the past seven years is that the two sides have established a common political foundation of adhering to the “1992 Consensus” and opposing “Taiwan independence.” Without this anchor, the boat of peaceful development will not fare well in the storms and may even capsize. 

The “1992 Consensus” has been authorized and endorsed by the relevant parties on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and is widely supported by public opinion on both sides. The “1992 Consensus” is important because it embodies the one-China principle and clearly defines the fundamental nature of cross-Strait relations. It shows that the mainland and Taiwan belong to the same China, and cross-Strait relations are not country-to-country, nor are they “one China, one Taiwan.” Although the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have not yet been “reunified,” China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity have never been divided. The land on both sides is of the same country, and the people of both sides are of the same nation. This is a historical fact and jurisprudential basis that has never changed and will never change. 

We hope that all parties and groups in Taiwan will face up to the “1992 Consensus.” No matter which party or group, no matter what they have advocated in the past, as long as they recognize the historical fact of the “1992 Consensus” and agree with its core meaning, we are willing to interact with them. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait will never agree to any act of splitting the country. On the principle of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, our will is rock-solid and our attitude has always remained consistent. 

Second, adhere to consolidating and deepening the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. Over the past 30 years, the overall landscape of cross-Strait relations has undergone historic changes. After 2008, cross-Strait relations embarked on a path of peaceful development and are the best they have been since 1949. Peace, not conflict; communication, not isolation; consultation and cooperation, not zero-sum confrontation—these are the common calls of our compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. We on both sides of the Strait are no longer in intense confrontation and hostility as we once were. 

The history of the development of cross-Strait relations has shown us that confrontation and turbulence across the Taiwan Strait deeply affects the people. Instead, a path of peace and development, of mutual benefit, will have immediate and long-term benefits. We on both sides must cherish the fruits of peaceful development, thoroughly resolve cross-Strait hostility, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and strive to build a stable institutional framework for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. 

The two sides of the Taiwan Strait must increase communication, advocate political trust, and promote the resolution of long-standing issues between the two sides through equal consultation and active exploration, while managing conflicts and differences. The establishment of a cross-Strait hotline will help the two sides communicate in a timely manner, avoid misjudgments, and handle urgent issues. The heads of cross-Strait affairs departments of both sides can be established first.  

For more than 60 years, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have embarked on different development paths and implemented different social systems. How effective each road and system is will be tested by history and judged by the people. The two sides must respect each other’s choice of development path and social system, and keep differences out of cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, in case they hurt the feelings of our compatriots. 

We understand the thoughts and feelings of our compatriots in Taiwan on the issue of participation in international activities and have carefully resolved many related issues. As long as they do not result in “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan,” there can be reasonable arrangements reached between the two sides through pragmatic consultations. 

At present, the foremost threat to the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations is the “Taiwan independence” forces and their separatist activities. “Taiwan independence” incites hostility and confrontation between compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, undermines national sovereignty and territorial integrity, destroys peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and obstructs the development of cross-Strait relations. It will only bring grave harm to compatriots on both sides of the Strait. In this regard, compatriots on both sides must unite and resolutely oppose it. 

Third, adhere to the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The two sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. As long as the family is in harmony, everything will prosper. When we advocate for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, the focus and anchor point is to enhance the kinship and well-being of our compatriots, so that compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait can lead a better life. As long as it is conducive to enhancing the kinship and well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, as long as it is conducive to promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, as long as it is conducive to safeguarding the overall interests of the Chinese nation, we on both sides of the Strait must do our utmost to make it happen.  

We are willing to share the development opportunities of the mainland with our compatriots in Taiwan first. The two sides of the Taiwan Strait can strengthen macro policy communication, play to their respective strengths, expand the scope of economic cooperation, increase our common interests, and make benefits more available and accessible to compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. We may accelerate negotiation on the issues of trade in goods and establishing offices on the other side and strive for an early agreement. We welcome our compatriots in Taiwan to actively participate in the “Belt and Road” initiative, and welcome Taiwan to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in an appropriate manner. 

We must enhance cultural and educational exchange, inherit and promote excellent traditions of the Chinese culture, strengthen the spiritual ties of compatriots, and cultivate outstanding talents for the future of the nation. 

The foundation of the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations lies at the grassroots level, and the hope lies with the youth. As of now, many people in Taiwan have never visited the mainland, and we warmly welcome them to come, look around, and contribute to cross-Strait exchanges. We must provide more opportunities and better conditions for young people on both sides to study, work, start businesses, and communicate, so that the general public, especially the younger generation, will become the driving force behind the development of cross-Strait relations and the revitalization of the nation. 

Fourth, work together towards the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The Chinese people have a splendid civilization that spans more than 5,000 years, but in modern times we have been repeatedly bullied by foreign powers. 120 years ago, Taiwan was tragically occupied by foreigners, which became a heartbreaking pain for the whole nation. Only by winning the war against Japanese invaders in 1945 and by restoring Taiwan was the half century of national shame washed away. Through the changes in history, we can clearly see that the mainland and Taiwan are an inseparable community of common destiny. A strong nation benefits both, and a weak nation undermines both. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is intertwined with the future and destiny of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. 

At present, we are closer and more capable than ever of realizing this great dream. What other countries have achieved over centuries, we have accomplished in a matter of decades. I believe that our compatriots in Taiwan will certainly not be absent in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. 

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of the war against Japanese invasion, a hard-fought victory with enormous national sacrifices. We on both sides should advocate our historians to work together, share historical materials, write history books, promote the fighting spirit we showed in the war, and jointly defend national dignity and honor. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should remember history, remember the martyrs, cherish peace and unity, and work together to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. 

Ma Ying Jeou said that since 2008, the two sides have worked together to create a peaceful and stable situation in the Taiwan Strait. The result has been universally praised by both sides of the Taiwan Strait and the international community alike. We must cherish this achievement. The “1992 Consensus” is the common political foundation for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. We must reinforce the “1992 Consensus,” expand and deepen exchanges and cooperation, enhance mutual benefits, close gaps, and show to the world that cross-Strait relations can be handled peacefully on our own. We must work together to create a better future for generations to come on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. 

Both sides affirmed the important achievements made in the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations since 2008. The two sides believe that we must continue to adhere to the “1992 Consensus,”  reinforce the common political foundation, promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, strengthen communication and dialogue, expand cross-Strait exchanges, deepen cooperation, achieve mutual benefits and win-win outcomes, and benefit people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. We on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the same Chinese nation, we are all descendants of the Yan and Huang Emperors and we should work together with a commitment to revitalizing China and a commitment to national rejuvenation.  

After the meeting, leaders from both sides had dinner together. 

Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, Yang Jiechi and others were in attendance.