'92 Consensus called only way forward on Taiwan

China's top political adviser, Wang Yang, called on Chinese at home and abroad on Tuesday to adhere to the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle, and to jointly push forward the cause of national reunification and share in the glory of national rejuvenation.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, made the remark at a symposium in Beijing to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1992 Consensus.

Wang said that promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and peaceful reunification of Taiwan with the motherland is the common aspiration of all Chinese people and is the Party's basic stance for resolving the Taiwan question.

He said that 30 years ago, Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits chose dialogue instead of confrontation, managed differences through communication, and promoted cooperation through consultation.

In 1992, the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation and the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits reached a common understanding that they should express verbally that both sides of the Taiwan Straits adhere to the one-China principle.

The process and content to reach the consensus were recorded clearly in documents which cannot be denied or distorted, Wang said, adding that "the consensus defines the fundamental nature of cross-Straits relations and lays the political foundation for the development of the relations."

He said by adhering to the consensus and the principle, cross-Straits relations will improve and develop. Otherwise, they will deteriorate.

Stressing that the mainland is willing to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification, Wang said dialogue and consultation with all parties, organizations and people in Taiwan on cross-Straits political issues and matters related to advancing peaceful reunification is welcomed on the basis of the one-China principle.

"Taiwan independence" is the biggest obstacle to reunification and a major threat to national rejuvenation, he said.

The island's authorities refuse to recognize the 1992 Consensus, and some countries condone and support "Taiwan independence" separatist forces making provocations against the mainland, which will only push the island into disaster, he said.

No one and no force should underestimate the strong resolve, determination and capability of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, he added.

Zhang Zhijun, president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, said the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan have refused since 2016 to recognize the consensus and increased separatist activities for "independence", seriously undermining the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

Zhang said the mainland unswervingly adheres to the consensus and resolutely opposes separatist activities for "Taiwan independence" and interference by foreign forces.

No matter how the situation across the Straits changes, the consensus will always be the anchor for the improvement and development of cross-Straits relations, he said, calling on Taiwan compatriots to uphold and work with compatriots on the mainland to create a better future for national rejuvenation.