Xi takes firm line on reunification

President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China's "firm and unwavering stance" on national reunification on Friday to a visiting delegation from Taiwan.

He stressed that the fundamental policy of "peaceful reunification, one country and two systems" is the best way to realize national reunion.

"Despite the fact that the relationship between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan is facing new problems and new circumstances, the long-term trend of peaceful development between the two sides will not change," Xi told the delegation of pro-reunification groups at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The delegation comprises representatives from 25 parties and organizations in Taiwan, including the New Party, the New Alliance Association, the Alliance for the Reunification of China, the Labor Party of Taiwan and the China Tide Association.

The 80-strong delegation, the first of its kind, is on a six-day visit to Beijing and Nanjing. Members will visit sites marking Japanese wartime aggression and an exhibition in Zhongguancun, Beijing, which is known as "China's Silicon Valley".

Calling on both sides to strengthen mutual confidence and work for the nation's rejuvenation, Xi said its revival is linked closely to the future of both sides and that Taiwan's future lies in national reunification. Without national prosperity, Taiwan cannot prosper, he said.

"We are closer to the goal of the great revival than at any other time in history. We have more confidence and ability to realize that goal, which is good news and a historic opportunity for Taiwan," Xi said.

Zhang Guanhua, deputy head of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Taiwan Studies Institute, said Xi's remarks set the tone for the development of cross-Straits relations, as accelerating engagement between the two sides has cooled since the start of the year.

As a result, a cross-Straits service trade pact has not taken effect since being signed last June.

Chen Xiancai, a Taiwan studies scholar at Xiamen University, said Xi's statement elaborates on the principles guarding cross-Straits relations and will increase public confidence toward reunification despite an unfavorable environment in Taiwan.

Xi said,"When the policy of 'one country and two systems' is applied to Taiwan, we will fully consider the reality of Taiwan's situation and seek opinion from all walks of life on both sides," adding that he is confident that the policy will be in the best interests of Taiwan people.

Addressing the biggest threat to reunification, Xi said: "No secessionist act will be tolerated. The path to 'Taiwan independence' is unfeasible."