PRESIDENT Xi Jinping said yesterday that China must be and will be reunified, as he addressed a gathering in Beijing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Chinese mainland’s Message to Compatriots in Taiwan.

“It is a historical conclusion drawn over the 70 years of the development of cross-Straits relations, and a must for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era,” said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

Speaking at the Great Hall of the People, Xi called for joint efforts across the Taiwan Straits to advance peaceful national reunification.

The long-standing political differences can not be dragged on generation after generation, Xi said. He expressed confidence that the Taiwan question will definitely end with national rejuvenation.

On Jan. 1, 1979, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee issued the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. It was considered a declaration of the mainland’s policy for peaceful reunification. Halt to military confrontations was proposed. Visits, cross-Straits transportation, postal services and economic and cultural exchanges were promoted. A page on cross-Straits relations had been turned.

Xi raised a five-point proposal for peaceful reunification in yesterday’s speech.

He said the principles of “peaceful reunification” and “one country, two systems” are the best approach to realizing national reunification.

He proposed that the mainland and Taiwan conduct democratic consultation on cross-Straits relations and the future of the nation, and establish institutional arrangements for peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

He said on the basis of ensuring China’s sovereignty, security and interests of development, the social system and way of life in Taiwan will be fully respected, and the private property, religious beliefs and legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots will be fully protected after peaceful reunification is realized.

The president pledged “utmost sincerity and greatest efforts” for the prospect of peaceful reunification and said Taiwan will be guaranteed lasting peace after reunification.

While stressing that the “Chinese don’t fight Chinese,” Xi said: “We make no promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option of taking all necessary means.”

This targets only the interference of external forces and the very small number of “Taiwan independence” separatists and their activities, he added.

He said the Taiwan issue is China’s internal affair and allows no external interference.

According to Liu Jieyi, head of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, between 1988 and 2018, 134 million cross-Straits visits were logged. Two-way trade reached US$2.6 trillion and the mainland has been Taiwan’s largest market and top investment destination outside the island.(Xinhua)