Chinese compatriots must stay united to oppose Taiwan independence, says Shi

Michael Shum

Chinese people at home and abroad should stay united to combat Taiwan independence, said Beijing's head of the United Front Work Department, Shi Taifeng.

He added Hong Kong's one country, two systems principle could serve as an "important reference" for the country.

Delivering a speech at the Overseas Chinese World Conference for Promoting Peaceful Reunification of China yesterday, Shi said the efforts of Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and overseas compatriots to oppose Taiwan independence deserve recognition.

"It is time to call on all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation, at home and abroad, to join hands against Taiwan independence," Shi said.

He added that the patriotic tradition in Hong Kong has a long history, leading to worldwide recognition of the successful one country, two systems principle."Hong Kong has entered a new phase where the city has returned to order and is now achieving prosperity. As one country, two systems continues to develop, it will provide the motherland with an important reference for complete reunification," Shi said.

He remarked that China is "never closer to" realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and achieving full reunification, despite Western anti-China forces using Taiwan to impede China's development.

Although the island's ruling Democratic Progressive Party insists on its stance regarding Taiwan independence, Shi believes it is "swimming against the current and on a dead-end road."

Wang Huning, president of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification, also sent a congratulatory letter to the conference, which was read by Chen Xiaojiang, executive deputy head of the United Front Work Department.

Wang hopes the conference will mark the beginning of patriotic forces combining their talents and resources to spark a new era of resistance to Taiwan independence and promote reunification efforts.

Yiu Chi-shing, chairman of the Hong Kong Association for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, said there is no better time to discuss China's peaceful reunification now that order has been restored in Hong Kong.

Taiwan's New Party chairman Wu Cherng-dean said the mainland's continuously growing economy could be a supportive factor in reunification.

However, he said the people of Taiwan have become accustomed to their current social system and way of life, making it essential for the mainland to foster a sense of peace and security to win their hearts through the development of Chinese modernization.