Question: The BBC recently published a report, claiming that the Taiwan that China wants is vanishing. What is the Embassy’s comment on that?
Embassy Spokesperson: I wish to say first and foremost that blood is thicker than water, and people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share the bond of kinship. Realising China's complete reunification is a shared aspiration of all Chinese people, including our Taiwan compatriots. However, separatist propaganda and the unresolved political dispute between the two sides of the Strait have created misconceptions over cross-Strait relations, problems with national identity, and misgivings over national reunification among some compatriots in Taiwan. We have great patience and tolerance, and we will create conditions for closer exchanges and communication between the two sides, to increase their understanding of the mainland and gradually reduce misconceptions and misgivings.
We have taken the lead in setting up a pilot zone in Fujian Province for integrated cross-Strait development and continually promoted connectivity wherever possible. We have made great efforts to advance cooperation on culture, education and health care, share social security and public resources, and create a common market for the two sides. Meanwhile, we have kept improving the systems and policies to guarantee the wellbeing of our Taiwan compatriots, ensure that they are treated as equals in the mainland, protect their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law, and expand cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation in various fields.
I want to stress that Taiwan is part of China. This is an indisputable fact supported by history and the law. There is but one China in the world. Both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China. This is the real status quo in the Taiwan Strait. The DPP authorities, clinging to a separatist stance, have colluded with external forces in successive provocative actions designed to divide the country. They have been pushing for "de-sinicisation" and promote "incremental independence" in the island, deceiving the people of Taiwan and inciting hostility against the mainland. It is the DPP authorities and some external forces conniving at and supporting separatist manoeuvers for “Taiwan independence”, not anyone else, who are obstructing and undermining cross-Strait exchanges, cooperation and integrated development.
National reunification is a historical trend and an essential step towards national rejuvenation. The future of Taiwan lies in China’s reunification, and the wellbeing of the people in Taiwan hinges on the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Reunification by peaceful means is the first choice of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government in resolving the Taiwan question, as it best serves the interests of our whole nation, including our compatriots in Taiwan. We are ready to create vast space for peaceful reunification, but we will leave no room for separatist activities in any form.
We call on the BBC to avoid providing a platform for political manipulation and restrain from abetting “Taiwan independence” separatist activities.
