Southern Metropolis Daily:

Now the current situation across the Straits is becoming more complex and serious, and the trend of supporting 'Taiwan independence' is rising on the island. Some are worried about the mainland's ability to maintain the initiative in cross-Strait relations and the realization of complete national reunification. What's your view on that? Thank you.

Qiu Kaiming:

The journalist just mentioned that the current situation across the straits is becoming more complex and serious and the trend of supporting 'Taiwan independence' is rising on the island. Despite multiple challenges in the grave and complex situation across the Straits, we still have strategic focus and determination, historical patience, and full confidence to resolve the Taiwan question and realize complete national reunification. 

The confidence comes from the development and progress of the country. During more than four decades of reform and opening up, particularly since the 18th CPC National Congress, China's composite national strength in the aspects of the economy, technology, education, culture, and military, as well as its international influence, have significantly improved. The mainland has formed a comprehensive advantage over Taiwan. In 2021, the GDP of the Chinese mainland exceeded 114 trillion yuan. The mainland has a population of over 1.4 billion, a middle-income group of over 400 million, 160 million market entities, and the world's most complete and largest industrial system. The potential for domestic demand is being unleashed and the domestic economy is becoming more dynamic. With its continuous development, the mainland will have a greater influence on and an attraction for the Taiwan people as well as a stronger ability to maintain the pulling force and initiative in cross-Strait relations.

The confidence comes from the power of morality. Taiwan has been an integral part of China's territory since ancient times. Although the two sides are yet to be reunified, the sovereignty and territory of China has never been divided, the fact that the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China has never changed, and the one-China principle represents the universal consensus of the international community and a universally recognized norm governing international relations. As the Chinese proverb goes, With justice on your side, you can go anywhere; without it, you cannot take a step. A just cause will surely succeed.

The confidence comes from the power of the people. The vast majority of Taiwan compatriots oppose Taiwan independence and support the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. The mainstream public opinion in Taiwan calls for peace, development, and a better life. More and more Taiwan compatriots have come to realize that the future of Taiwan lies in national reunification and their well-being depends on national rejuvenation. The more than 1.4 billion mainlanders and all Chinese both at home and abroad eagerly expect reunification and firmly defend it. This constitutes the strongest support for us.

The confidence also comes from the power of culture. The bond of culture is the strongest, and the power of culture is the most enduring. For thousands of years, the Chinese nation has always pursued unity and unification, and the idea of great unification has been deeply embedded in the genes of the Chinese people. Like an old saying goes, this is a permanent principle between heaven and earth, and the universal truth throughout ancient and modern times. Safeguarding national unity is the most cherished part of national integrity of the Chinese people.

Seeking Taiwan independence and preventing reunification is by no means acceptable in view of the history and culture of the Chinese nation. The will and resolve of the over 1.4 billion Chinese people will never allow that to happen. The attempt is doomed to fail. The people on both sides of the Straits should follow the tide of history, work together for greater national interests, oppose separatist activities seeking Taiwan independence, bolster confidence and pool strengthen for reunification, promote the peaceful and integrated development of cross-Strait relations by deepening exchanges and cooperation, and jointly strive for national reunification and rejuvenation. Thank you.

Chen Wenjun:

Thank you to all the speakers and friends from the media. That's all for today's press conference. Goodbye.

Translated and edited by Cui Can, Wang Wei, Yan Bin, Wang Yiming, Xu Kailin, Zhang Junmian, Zhang Rui, Huang Shan, Zhang Liying, He Shan, Guo Yiming, Ma Yujia, Xu Xiaoxuan, Wang Qian, Li Huiru, David Ball, Jay Birbeck, and Tom Arnstein. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.