Ma Xiaoguang Photo: cnsphoto

With the issuance of the white paper on the Taiwan question and China's reunification in the new era drawing malicious attacks from the secessionist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Thursday that the solution to the question will be actively explored together with the island's compatriots, expressing confidence that with the passage of time, One Country, Two Systems will eventually be understood and recognized by Taiwan compatriots.

At Thursday's media briefing, Ma was asked to comment on DPP's latest remarks that the mainland and Taiwan are "not subordinate to each other," while claiming that the mainland's setting the cross-straits endgame is "wishful thinking."

Ma responded that the white paper demonstrates the resolve of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese people and their commitment to national reunification, to unite all Chinese at home and abroad, including the Taiwan compatriots, and to oppose to secessionists and foreign interference. 

The release of the white paper has been widely supported and applauded by the Chinese people, the spokesperson said, adding that such slanders from the DPP authorities have again exposed its political nature of stubbornly seeking "independence" while fully reflecting that the white paper has "hit them where it hurts."

"The legal fact that Taiwan is a part of China is clear and unambiguous. Although the island has not yet been fully reunified, China's sovereignty and territory has never been divided and never will be, and Taiwan's status as part of China has never changed and will never be allowed to change," Ma noted. 

It is the DPP authorities' "wishful thinking" and a complete lie to distort the special status of long-term confrontation across the Straits as "non-subordinate to each other," Ma said, adding that any attempt to distort facts, challenge the one-China principle, and seek "Taiwan independence" will be doomed to fail. 

The future of Taiwan lies in national reunification, which can only be and must be decided by the entire Chinese people. It is a historical trend that will not be diverted by the will of secessionist forces, the spokesperson said. 

However, under the guise of "democracy", the DPP authorities are practicing "green terror", seeking "independence" and rejecting reunification. They cannot represent or hold hostage the public opinion of compatriots in Taiwan.

Ma said "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" show how the mainland values cross-Straits peace and well-being of people across the Straits. The mainland is willing to continue uniting compatriots in Taiwan and actively explore the Two Systems solution to the Taiwan question and make innovative efforts toward peaceful reunification. 

"The DPP has spared no efforts trying to smear and distort the One Country, Two Systems, but it cannot deny that it is a solution of peace, democracy, kindness and win-win," Ma said. "We believe that with the passage of time, One Country, Two Systems will be understood and recognized by our compatriots in Taiwan."

On Wednesday, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive John Lee welcomed the issuance of the white paper, reiterating HKSAR's resolute support to the one-China principle and said it will coordinate with the central government on necessary measures in opposition to foreign interferences. 

Lee said that time has proven that the One Country, Two Systems has been successfully practiced in Hong Kong, and is the best the best institutional protection for the society of Hong Kong. It is a cornerstone for maintaining Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and a successful national policy that gives the SAR the unique advantages of being "backed by the motherland and connected to the world.

The white paper, published on Wednesday by The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the State Council Information Office of China, included new content based on the situation of the new era, including specific warnings to the DPP by saying its secessionist actions are obstacles that "must be removed." It also highlighted the US' dangerous role in interrupting China's reunification process. The document provides more clear guidelines for the post-reunification governance over the island and why it will benefit the international community.

Global Times