The fresh package of 10 policies and measures released by the Chinese mainland focuses on cross-strait exchanges and cooperation, said a senior member of Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, adding he hopes that parties concerned in Taiwan will join hands to promote the package.
The Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee unveiled the package on Sunday as a delegation from the KMT party, led by its chairwoman Cheng Li-wun, wrapped up a mainland visit from Tuesday to Sunday.
The policies and measures cover inter-party communication, youth exchanges, economic and trade cooperation, people-to-people connectivity, cultural exchanges and other fields.
Chang Jung-kung, KMT vice chairperson, expressed welcome to the package, stating that it reflects a high-level consensus to advance ties between the two sides.
"The policies and measures focus on exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, especially on improving people's well-being. The KMT welcomes these and hopes all parties concerned in Taiwan will jointly promote [these policies and measures] without obstacles, for the benefit of the people in Taiwan. People have high expectations for increasing direct flights across the Strait. We are very happy to see this announcement. Everyone hopes that more and more mainland visitors will travel to Taiwan. The tourism sector will certainly be delighted," said Chang.
Aiming to address the bottlenecks in the cross-Strait exchanges, the policies and measures promptly responded to the mainstream public sentiment on the island calling for peace, development, exchange, and cooperation, and fully demonstrated the mainland's care and concern for Taiwan compatriots.
Facing the complex and challenging situation across the Taiwan Strait, the mainland has upheld the people-centered development philosophy and the principle that people on both sides of the Strait are one family, resolutely promoted cross-Strait exchanges, interactions and integration, and firmly maintained the initiative and the ability to steer cross-Strait relations.
Tang Hua, director of the Cross-Strait Relations under Xiamen University's Taiwan Research Institute in Fujian Province, described the consensus reached after the meeting between Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Cheng on Friday as not only a political declaration, but also a strategic tone-setting.
"The core consensus from the first high-level dialogue between the two parties' leaders in a decade is clear: people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese, and all must uphold the 1992 Consensus and oppose separatist activities. Based on this, we will enhance cross-Straight exchanges and cooperation across all fields and work together toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The consensus is not only a political declaration but also a strategic tone-setter. It fundamentally clarifies that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share the same Chinese identity, establishes clear boundaries at the foundational level, and unites people in a shared direction, sending a clear message to both sides of the Strait and the international community: the trend of the times is unstoppable, and the overarching trend of people on both sides getting closer and coming together, will not change," said Tang.
The KMT chairwoman's visit to the mainland was expected to bring spring to the cross-Strait relations.
Repeatedly mentioning "peace" and "communication" in different places, Cheng called on Taiwan politicians to remain true to their original aspirations and keep the people's well-being in mind. She urged them to make the right choices instead of shirking their roles and responsibilities for partisan or private ends.
"Deepening mutual understanding, fostering goodwill, and building mutual trust are all essential cornerstones for the future peace and stability of cross-Strait relations. I am willing to do anything which is helpful to the peace of cross-Strait relations. The people on both sides of the Strait will be guaranteed as long as our intentions are good and our actions are right, the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations is certainly full of optimistic and positive possibilities," said Cheng.
On Sunday, Cheng and her delegation returned to Taipei after concluding their 6-day mainland visit. From experiencing drone-delivered milk tea and touring the fully automated Yangshan Port in Shanghai, to walking into the cabin of the C929 passenger aircraft and trying an 'intelligent bionic hand' in Beijing, the delegation has witnessed firsthand the remarkable progress the mainland has made.
"Many people in Taiwan feel that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities constantly advocate 'resisting China' and 'accusing others of being pro-mainland,' but the situation across the Taiwan Strait is becoming increasingly unstable and development opportunities are restricted. There are many opportunities for mutual benefit and win-win cooperation across the Strait. On one side is war, on the other is peace; on one side is dialogue, on the other is endless internal friction and confrontation. Which path to choose? I believe the answer is crystal clear," said Yu Tzu-Hsiang, a professor at Taiwan's Shih Hsin University.
"Twenty-one years ago, during his first 'ice-breaking trip' to the mainland, Mr. Lien Chan put forward the idea that the path determines the way out -- only by taking the right path can Taiwan have a future. To this day, this statement remains profoundly enlightening. Cheng's visit will also help Taiwan gain a more comprehensive and objective understanding of the mainland's development and its stance on advancing cross-Strait relations, allowing them to see the mainland's sincerity and goodwill. It will help break down information silos, enabling Taiwan to see the mainland and the world with their own eyes, and to more accurately define its own position, as well as find its opportunities and future," said Zhu Weidong, director of the Institute of Taiwan Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
More exchanges expected after 10-point package on cross-strait cooperation announced: KMT vice chairperson
