Taiwan's future lies in reunification

On Saturday President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at a gathering to mark the 110th anniversary of the Revolution of 1911. One hundred and ten years ago, revolutionaries led by Sun Yat-sen overthrew the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), putting an end to the absolute monarchy that had dominated China for several thousand years.

The 1911 Revolution reflected the desire of the Chinese people to achieve political independence, realize the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and promote social change in the country.

The significance of the 1911 Revolution has been recognized by both sides of the Taiwan Straits, and Chinese people across the Straits should commemorate the historic achievement together.

In the important speech, President Xi emphasized national reunification by peaceful means best serves China's interests. He said that the Taiwan question arose out of the weakness and chaos of the Chinese nation, and it will be resolved as national rejuvenation becomes a reality.

Sun Yat-sen called for efforts to revitalize the Chinese nation and safeguard the integrity and unity of the country, and hoped that China would keep pace with the times and rank among the world's top nations in the future.

The Communist Party of China has faithfully inherited and staunchly carried forward what Sun Yat-sen wished. China has proceeded from "standing up to getting rich to becoming powerful". And the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has become an integral part of China's journey.

Over the past 70-odd years, cross-Straits relations have seen tense confrontations, thaw and peaceful exchanges. But healthy cross-Straits relations are of fundamental interest to people on both sides of the Straits and to the benefit of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The Chinese mainland will stick to the path. Upholding the idea that people on both sides of the Straits are one family, the mainland has been creating opportunities of growth for Taiwan, and giving the mainland and island residents and enterprises the same treatment.

Irrespective of the difficulties, cross-Straits exchanges should never be stopped. Despite the attempts of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party to undermine cross-Straits ties, the mainland has kept offering preferential policies in a bid to garner the support of more Taiwan residents, especially those who study, work, and live on the mainland, to realize the national rejuvenation.

As Sun Yat-sen said, a unified China has been imprinted on the minds of the Chinese people. The leader of the 1911 Revolution said unification was the hope of all Chinese people, and they would benefit if the nation unified, and suffer if it did not.

But since assuming power in May 2016, the pro-independence DPP has been advancing its political agenda of "Taiwan independence" and has thus deteriorated cross-Straits relations and harmed the interests of Taiwan residents.

There is only one China, and Taiwan is a part of China. This fact can never be changed, and the international community including the United Nations acknowledges it.

The commemoration of the 1911 Revolution will enhance the idea across the Straits that reunification is in the fundamental interest of the Chinese nation and people on both sides should oppose the secessionist forces on the island and work for peaceful reunification.

China has undergone great political changes since the 1911 Revolution, and the Chinese people today will not allow any power to interfere in the internal affairs of the country and check the rise of the Chinese nation.

The key to achieving national reunification is to prevent foreign forces from meddling in the Taiwan question. In the pursuit of "Taiwan independence" in order to fulfill its narrow political interests, the DPP has refused to acknowledge the 1992 Consensus that there is only one China and is serving as a pawn of the United States against the mainland. And the US has used this as an excuse to intensify efforts to heighten tensions across the Straits.

History shows that Taiwan's future depends on the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation rather than on foreign forces. And the DPP's attempts to seek "independence" with the help of the US is doomed to failure, because the mainland will never let that happen.

The commemoration of the 1911 Revolution will help refresh the common memory of compatriots on the both sides of the Straits and boost their emotional connection. Taiwan compatriots should realize the island's future lies in reunification and national rejuvenation. That is also the call of history.

The author is an associate researcher at the Institute of Taiwan Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

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