Adhere to the "top-level design" and "bottom-line thinking" of the party's overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era

Author: Qi Pengfei (Director, Center for Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Studies, Chinese Min University)

At the important historical juncture when the cause of the motherland's complete reunification and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation have shown an irresistible and irreversible strong development trend, and at the same time we have repeatedly encountered major risks and challenges, we must make up our minds to eliminate interference and overcome difficulties, and the third white paper of China's official white paper on the Taiwan issue since the beginning of reform and opening up, "The Taiwan Issue and the Cause of China's Reunification in the New Era," should come out from time to time, hold up the banner, and get to the source, which is of great significance.

Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, guided by the CPC's overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era and its major policies toward Taiwan, and on the basis of further sorting out and revealing with clear historical latitude and clear legal facts that Taiwan is a part of China's territory that cannot be questioned or changed, the white paper comprehensively summarizes the CPC's struggle course, major achievements and valuable experience in unswervingly promoting the complete reunification of the motherland. It systematically expounded the basic stand and policy proposition of the CPC on promoting the complete reunification of the motherland on the new journey of the new era, and profoundly expounded the bright prospects for realizing the peaceful reunification of the two sides of the strait in accordance with "one country, two systems." The white paper fully embodies the confidence of the CPC and the Chinese Government in victory in realizing the complete reunification of the motherland, the firm determination to oppose "Taiwan independence" separatism and foreign interference, the unchanged original intention of seeking the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the strait, and the strategic self-confidence, strategic boldness, strategic responsibility, and strategic determination to complete the complete reunification of the motherland in the process of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. At the same time, the white paper also fully embodies the continuous enrichment and development and innovation of the CPC and the Chinese government on the theory of national reunification and the principles and policies toward Taiwan, which has a distinct and prominent inheritance, stability, strategy, and foresight, and is another programmatic document and a new policy guide for promoting the reunification of the motherland in the new era and new journey.

Since entering the new era, the Chinese Communists with Comrade Xi Jinping as the main representative have comprehensively grasped the changes in the era of cross-strait relations, enriched and developed the theory of national reunification and the principles and policies toward Taiwan, promoted the development of cross-strait relations in the correct direction, formed the cpc's overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era, and provided a fundamental guideline and program of action for doing a good job in taiwan work in the new era. Taking the positive and negative experiences of leading the promotion of the peaceful development and integrated development of cross-strait relations under the premise of resolutely smashing the "Taiwan independence" separatist and foreign interference plots since entering the new era as a frame of reference, the white paper focuses on the "top-level design" and "bottom-line thinking" of the party's overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era, and organically constructs the "root" and "soul" of the white paper.

Adhere to the basic principle of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" as the guide and follow the thorough settlement of the Taiwan issue. "One country, two systems" is an important institutional arrangement made by the CPC and the Chinese government for the realization of peaceful reunification, and is a great pioneering undertaking of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Realizing the peaceful reunification of the two sides of the strait in accordance with "one country, two systems" will lay a new foundation for China's development and progress and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, will create tremendous opportunities for Taiwan's economic and social development, and will bring tangible benefits to the vast number of Taiwan compatriots -- Taiwan's development space will be even broader; The vital interests of Taiwan compatriots will be fully protected; Compatriots on both sides of the strait share the great glory of national rejuvenation; It is conducive to peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the whole world. In this regard, the white paper clearly pointed out that realizing the reunification of the motherland by peaceful means is the most in line with the overall interests of the Chinese nation, including The Taiwan compatriots, is most conducive to China's long-term and stable development, and is the first choice for the CPC and the Chinese Government to resolve the Taiwan issue. Despite the difficulties and resistance we have encountered over the past few decades, we have unremittingly strived for peaceful reunification, which reflects our cherishing and safeguarding of the great national righteousness, the well-being of our compatriots and cross-strait peace. It is believed that with the passage of time, "one country, two systems" will be re-recognized by the vast number of Taiwan compatriots; In the course of compatriots on both sides of the strait working together to realize peaceful reunification, the space and connotation of the "two systems" Taiwan plan will be fully demonstrated.

To realize the peaceful reunification of the two sides of the strait in accordance with "one country, two systems," the premise and foundation are the one-China principle, which must be implemented to the letter and "without deviation or deformation." General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly pointed out: "To grasp the overall situation of cross-strait relations from the overall interests of the Chinese nation, the most fundamental and core is to safeguard the integrity of national territory and sovereignty." The white paper emphasizes: "There is only one China in the world, and the historical and legal facts that Taiwan is part of China cannot be questioned, and the status of Taiwan, which has never been a country but a part of China, cannot be changed." Any act of distorting the facts and negating and challenging the one-China principle will end in failure. The DPP authorities' act of plotting "independence" has led to tension in cross-strait relations, endangered peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, undermined the prospects for peaceful reunification, and squeezed the space for peaceful reunification. However, when external forces play the "Taiwan card," they regard Taiwan as a pawn to curb China's development and progress and obstruct the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, sacrificing the interests and well-being and bright future of Taiwan compatriots, and by no means for the good of Taiwan compatriots. They have connived at instigating the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces to provoke trouble and provocation, aggravated cross-strait confrontation and tension in the Taiwan Strait, and undermined peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, which not only runs counter to the trend of the times of seeking peace, promoting development, and seeking win-win results, but also runs counter to the expectations of the international community and the will of the people of the world. To safeguard the overall interests of the Chinese nation, including Taiwan compatriots, we must resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" separatism and promote the peaceful reunification of the motherland. We are willing to create a broad space for peaceful reunification, but we have always insisted on making full preparations for dealing with interference by external forces and major incidents of "Taiwan independence" in non-peaceful means and other necessary measures, with the aim of fundamentally safeguarding the prospects for the peaceful reunification of the motherland and promoting the process of the peaceful reunification of the motherland. This is exactly what General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized - "We resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will never tolerate the recurrence of the historical tragedy of national division" and "We will never allow anyone, any organization, any political party, at any time, in any form, to separate any piece of Chinese territory from China."

At present, the general environment and situation facing the historical process of thoroughly resolving the Taiwan issue and realizing the complete reunification of the motherland are undergoing unprecedented and tremendous changes, and cross-strait relations are at a very complicated and delicate crossroads and turning point. We are closer, more confident and capable of realizing the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation than at any time in history, and we are also closer, more confident and capable of realizing the goal of the complete reunification of the motherland. The Taiwan issue arose out of national weakness and chaos and will certainly be resolved along with national rejuvenation. We have reason to believe that all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation will be able to accomplish the great cause of the reunification of the motherland in the process of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with one heart.

Guangming Daily ( 2022-08-14 02 edition)

Source: Guangming Network - Guangming Daily