Xi Jinping Sends Congratulatory Letter to Straits Forum

June 18, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)—China’s President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 15th Straits Forum in Xiamen on June 17, calling for accelerated efforts to promote cross-Straits economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation.

It is ironic that Secretary of State Blinken is in China the same weekend, where he no doubt will make threats about China’s alleged threats to Taiwan, yet 5,000 guests from Taiwan have heard Xi’s letter with great pleasure and satisfaction. The forum, which began on June 15, aims at promoting cross-Straits, economic, social, scientific and people to people cooperation in a win- win atmosphere with an eye towards eventual reunification of China. Xi reiterated these aims in his letter calling the Straits Forum “an important platform for people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to broadly engage in exchanges and promote cooperation....”

“We will continue to respect, care for and deliver benefits to the Taiwan compatriots, promote cross-Straits economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, and advance integrated development in various fields,” said Xi.

The President’s letter was read out by China’s top political advisor Wang Huning. In his own address, Wang, who is a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, remarked that the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations is the right path for safeguarding cross-Straits peace and stability, and promoting common development. Prior to the conference, Wang also met with the representatives of the guests from Taiwan.

Addressing the same conference was Andrew Hsia, vice chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT) party, who said the KMT will promote cross-Straits economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, while working for cross-Straits peace and stability and upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing “Taiwan independence.”

Liao Yixiu, a representative of the Chinese Kuomintang Youth Workers’ Federation, told CGTN that she thinks the peaceful development of both sides across the Straits is currently the top priority. Integrated development is of great importance to young people from Taiwan who come to the mainland to study and work.