1992 Consensus is anchor of cross-Straits ties: mainland spokesperson

APD NEWS

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A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday expressed hope that people on both sides the Taiwan Straits will meet each other halfway and work for the well-being of the entire Chinese nation by adhering to the 1992 Consensus, which is the anchor of the cross-Straits ties.

Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks at a press conference in response to a query on the recent visit of Ma Ying-jeou to the Chinese mainland. Ma led a delegation to Nanjing, Wuhan, Changsha, Chongqing, Shanghai and other places on the mainland from March 27 to April 7. During his trip, he visited important historical sites, paid homage to his ancestors and led students from Taiwan to have discussions and exchanges with mainland students at several universities.

Zhu said Ma's visit fully demonstrated that people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits are all Chinese and one family, sharing the same blood, culture and history.

"His visit reflects the common aspiration of people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits for peace, development, exchanges and cooperation, and once again proves that the 1992 Consensus is the anchor for the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations," Zhu said.

She added that the youth are the future of cross-Straits relations, and strengthening youth exchanges will inject vitality into the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

"We fully understand that young people on both sides of the Straits have different views on some issues due to their different experiences. This is why it's all the more necessary for young people on both sides of the Straits to strengthen exchanges and enhance mutual understanding," Zhu said, adding the Chinese mainland is willing to create the conditions for cross-Straits exchanges, including providing internships for students from Taiwan during the summer holidays.

Zhu criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for strictly controlling and restricting people-to-people exchanges across the Taiwan Straits, saying only when the DPP removes political barriers, will it be possible for young people and students on both sides to communicate normally.

The spokesperson also sternly warned the "Taiwan independence" separatists and foreign anti-China forces, saying the recent countermeasures taken by the Chinese People's Liberation Army are necessary actions to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, which aimed to deter the "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities and external forces' interference, rather than targeting the compatriots in Taiwan.

She called on the compatriots in Taiwan to stand on the right side of history, fight against "Taiwan independence" forces and external interference, and jointly safeguard the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

(CGTN)