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Opposing 'Taiwan independence' prevailing public sentiment in Taiwan: lawmakers, political advisors

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Mar 09, 2024 05:08 PM

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) cannot represent Taiwan, nor can it represent all Taiwan compatriots. The prevailing public sentiment in Taiwan has been opposed to "Taiwan independence," deputies to 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and members of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) said during the two sessions on Saturday.

The prevailing public sentiment in Taiwan has been favoring peace over war, development over decline, communication over estrangement and cooperation over confrontation, Fu Zhiguan, the vice chairman of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, said in Beijing on Saturday.

Fu, also a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks on behalf of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League (TDSL) at the third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, a group meeting of deputies from the Taiwan delegation was held at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in the Taiwan Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

When talking about the expectations for the future development of cross-Straits relations at the meeting, Yan Ke, the deputy head of the Taiwan delegation to the NPC, admitted that the current cross-Straits relations face a severe and complex situation.

The DPP authorities refuse to acknowledge the "1992 Consensus" and insist on the "anti-China" stance, relying on the US to seek "independence," seriously endangering the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits, Yan noted.

Yan emphasized that despite the complex and severe situation, the mainland has demonstrated a firm will and confidence and always firmly grasps the initiative in cross-Straits relations and responds to the common aspiration of compatriots on both sides of the Straits for peace, development, communication, and cooperation.

The mainland firmly opposes "Taiwan independence" secessionism and foreign interference, maintaining peace, expanding exchanges, promoting cooperation, deepening integration, and advancing reunification, Yan noted.

Fu told the audience that the provocation tricks of the Democratic Progressive Party authorities to seek "Taiwan independence" cannot shake the status and fact that Taiwan is part of China, cannot change the basic pattern and development direction of cross-Straits relations, and cannot stop the inevitable trend of national reunification.

Recent years, a growing number of Taiwan compatriots are willing to follow the trend of the times, uphold the national righteousness, and stand on the right side of history, Fu noted. He cited data demonstrating the meaningful integration and development cross the Straits.

Currently, there are more than 130,000 Taiwan-funded enterprises on the Chinese mainland. In 2023, over 7,000 new projects invested by Taiwan investors in the mainland were added, with actual use of Taiwan investment totaling $2.76 billion, a year-on-year increase of 37.1 percent. The two sides have reached 481 industrial consensus and announced 72 common standards. More than 12,000 students from the island are studying in mainland universities and colleges, and over 2,000 Taiwan teachers are teaching in the mainland.

On how to further strengthen integration, Fu suggested promoting economic and trade cooperation by better connecting the island's land, sea, and air transportation infrastructure, such as increasing more direct flights between cities, building passenger and cargo ports, and logistics bases to enhance convenience.

Fu also proposed facilitating higher quality circulation of production factors between the island and the mainland, such as energy, resources, talent, funds, and technology between the two sides by adopting mutual recognition of industry standards, qualifications, inspection and quarantine.

"The economies on both sides of the Straits belong to the economy of the Chinese nation, and cooperation is mutually beneficial," Fu noted. He said a mechanism for government and Taiwan-funded enterprises to align their demand and supply lists in both directions can be explored, so as to promote the complementary and integrated development of the industrial chain and supply chain across the Straits.

In addition, Fu highlighted the importance of continuing to optimize the business environment, encourage enterprises on both sides of the Straits to form enterprise alliances and benefit from a unified market.

"We should support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises funded by Taiwan residents to grow stronger, and enhance the sense of achievement of Taiwan enterprises in integrating into the new development pattern," Fu noted.

Fu further added that Chinese culture is the root and belonging of the hearts of compatriots on both sides of the Straits. He suggested increasing efforts to protect cultural relics and historical sites related to Taiwan, and deeply exploring the patriotic history of Taiwan compatriots in different periods.

At the Saturday NPC meeting, Chen Yunying, a deputy to the 14th NPC from the island of Taiwan, also made remarks. She mentioned the regional election in Taiwan, saying it cannot represent mainstream opinions and that sensational campaign mobilization has deepened some residents' recognition of themselves as not being Chinese, which is a pity, media reported.

Taiwan question is one of highlights in this year's Government Work Report, which omitted the term "peaceful reunification." Instead, it said the central government will "be firm in advancing the cause of China's reunification."

Chinese observers believed this signals that countering secessionism has already become a priority in addressing the Taiwan question and opposing foreign interference, which is also a practical approach in regard of the status quo. Yet the central government's overall stance on the Taiwan question remains consistent and unchanged.