On 27th February, 2019, H.E. Yan Xiusheng, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Barbados published a signed article entitled China must be and will be reunified in the Barbados Advocate. The following is the full text of this article:
On 1st January, 1979, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China issued the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan, solemnly declared the fundamental policy of realizing the national reunification at an early date. On 2nd January, 2019, the event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing the Message successfully convened in Beijing, China. H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China delivered a featured speech which reviewed the development of the cross-Straits relations since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, especially since the issuance of the Message some 40 years ago,and answered the question of how to push for national reunification while moving ahead for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
President Xi Jinping stressed that although the mainland and Taiwan have not realized reunification, the current situation of both sides of Taiwan Straits is neither territorial division nor sovereign split, but a long-lasting political opposition due to the continuation of China’s civil war and external interference in late 1940s. Since 1949, the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government and the Chinese people have always unwaveringly taken resolving the Taiwan question to realize China’s complete reunification as a historic task. 70 years since then, many breakthroughs have been made in cross-Straits relations:
Over the past 70 years, estrangement between the mainland and Taiwan was ended in line with the common will of compatriots across the Taiwan Straits. Postal, trade and transport links between the two sides have been realized, and exchanges and cooperation across Straits are becoming more frequent and fruitful. The mainland and Taiwan reached the 1992 Consensus based on the one-China principle, and leaders across Straits met in 2015 historically. The basic principles of “peaceful reunification” and “one country, two systems” were established. More and more countries and peoples from abroad have understood and supported the cause of the reunification of China. And a series of major victories in the battles against “Taiwan independence” and separatists have been achieved.
President Xi Jinping highlighted that China must be and will be reunified. It is a historical conclusion drawn from 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. Chinese people across the Taiwan Straits as well as at home and abroad should work together for the Chinese nation's greater good and go with the tide of history, to jointly push forward the peaceful development of the cross-Straits relations and advance the process toward the peaceful reunification of China. The Taiwan question originated from national weakness and disorder, and will definitely end with national rejuvenation!
Sticking to the principles of “peaceful reunification” and “one country, two systems” is the best approach to realizing China’s national reunification. 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 the peaceful reunification. President Xi Jinping solemnly proposed that political parties and all sectors on both sides of the Straits may recommend representatives to conduct extensive and in-depth democratic consultation on cross-Straits relations and the future of the nation, and establish institutional arrangement for peaceful development of cross-Straits relations on the basis of the common political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing “Taiwan independence”.
President Xi Jinping pointed out that “Chinese don't fight Chinese”. Peaceful reunification is in the best interests of compatriots across the Straits as well as the Chinese nation as a whole. However,China makes no promises to renounce the use of force and reserve the option of taking all necessary means when needed. This does not target compatriots in Taiwan, but against the interference of external forces and the very small number of “Taiwan independence” separatists and their activities. “Taiwan independence” goes against the trend of history and will lead to nowhere but a dead end. We are willing to create broad space for peaceful reunification, but will leave no room for any form of separatist activities of “Taiwan independence”.
The Chinese people’s affairs should be decided by the Chinese people. The Taiwan question is China’s internal affairs and concerns China’s core interests and the national bond of the Chinese people. China’s reunification does not harm any country’s legitimate interests, including their economic interests in Taiwan. China’s reunification will only bring more development opportunities to other countries, inject more positive energy into the prosperity and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.
Barbados is among the first countries that established diplomatic relations with China in the Caribbean region. Since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Barbados in 1977, friendly bilateral relations between our two countries keep healthy and steady momentum, and plenty of fruitful achievements have been made in the pragmatic cooperation across areas. It is highly appreciated that the Barbadian Government always sticks to the one-China principle. Only a few days ago, our two countries signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation within the Framework of the Belt and Road Initiative in Beijing. I firmly believe that under this cooperative framework, our bilateral relations and pragmatic cooperation will be elevated to a new height. I also firmly believe that with the continuous efforts of the Chinese people, as well as with the support from the friendly countries including Barbados around the world, China will definitely realize its national reunification, and pave the way for great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, so as to bring more benefits to people from all over the world as well as help to create a better and promising future for the development of the community with shared future for mankind in the globe!
