BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland official on Tuesday expressed determination to realize national reunification.
Wang Yi, head of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the comment in an interview with Xinhua on Tuesday.
Wang said realizing the reunification of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is a major historic mission of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The CPC has made unremitting efforts and seen positive progress in this regard over the past six decades, he said.
"We have the firm determination, full confidence and patience needed to solve the Taiwan issue," he said.
"Our determination rests with the complete unification of the nation," he said.
He said the core of solving the Taiwan issue is to realize national reunification. This, Wang said, has a great bearing on national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the prospects and destiny of the Chinese nation.
"We are duty-bound to shoulder and fulfill this historic responsibility and should strongly oppose and resist acts of 'Taiwanese independence' in all their forms," Wang said. "We will unswervingly overcome any difficulties and challenges."
"Our confidence derives from the rising strength of the mainland and development of cross-strait relations," Wang said, adding that the mainland's comprehensive strength and rising international status are sure to have a deep impact on and determine the development of cross-strait relations.
The mainland's principles and policies towards Taiwan have become more accordant with the island's status and the demands of its people. "These principles and policies have gained more understanding and recognition from Taiwan and will encourage the two sides to march forward from exchanges to harmony, and from harmony to reunification," said Wang, who is also director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
"Our patience is based on an objective analysis of Taiwan-related issues," said Wang. He added that Taiwan-related issues are complicated, as they involve politics, economics, law, international relations and national sentiment.
The mainland believes that misunderstandings between the two sides have been tough due to years of isolation, said Wang, adding that patience should be maintained in order to solve related issues through persistence and sincerity.
Wang said the last four years have been the most fruitful period for the development of cross-strait relations.
The mainland and Taiwan restored regular talks in June 2008, when Chen Yunlin, president of the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), met with Chiang Pin-kung, then chairman of the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), for the first time after nine years of silence.
Chen and Jiang have held eight rounds of talks since then and witnessed the signing of 18 cross-strait pacts, including the landmark Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed in 2010.
"These pacts have settled a large number of practical problems that have emerged between both sides and promoted the institutionalization and standardization of cross-strait exchanges," said Wang.
The two sides have also established political mutual trust based on the common ground of the "1992 Consensus" and opposing "Taiwan independence," leading the development of cross-strait relations in the correct direction, Wang said.
He said the resumption of postal service, trade and transport at the end of 2008 significantly facilitated personnel exchanges and trade between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Wang predicted that the number of people commuting across the strait will top 8 million this year from 7.1 million in 2011.
Wang said the foundation of the two sides' political mutual trust must be consolidated and the "one-China" principle must be insisted upon.
Wang said both sides should continue to deepen economic cooperation, which he said is a priority and focal point in pushing forward the development of cross-strait relations.
The two sides should accelerate negotiations following the signing of the ECFA, strive to advance financial and industrial cooperation and encourage the two-way investment.
The mainland and Taiwan should also strengthen exchanges in culture and education to carry forward Chinese culture and boost ties between compatriots on both sides.
The peaceful development of cross-strait relations through expanded dialogue and exchanges has become the most important public opinion across the strait, said Wang.
Wang promised to create new policies that will benefit more Taiwanese and eliminate misunderstandings regarding the development of cross-strait relations.
"In the future, we are willing to carry out dialogues and exchanges with Taiwan-based parties that oppose Taiwan independence, acknowledge the "one-China" principle and support improved cross-strait relations," said Wang.
He also advised parties that support Taiwanese independence to discern historical trends, comply with the aspirations of the people and make adjustments so as to safeguard stability and the interests of people across the Taiwan Strait.
Wang was appointed as the mainland's Taiwan affairs chief in June 2008, leaving his post as vice foreign minister.
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