Cross-Straits forum stresses reunification

A declaration expressing the determination of overseas Chinese to firmly oppose Taiwan independence was adopted at the annual conference of the Association for the Peaceful Unification of China (APUC).

The conference, also known as the Cross-Straits Peaceful Development Forum, was held on Saturday in New York.

The declaration also calls for safeguarding the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and national reunification.

More than 300 officials from the Chinese mainland, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, along with members of APUC across the US, representatives of Chinese in the US and scholars attended the forum.

Dun Shixin, director-general of the Department of Hong Kong, Macao and Overseas Affairs Related to Taiwan at the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, said that for many years, cross-Straits exchange on culture and economy has developed "from none to present, from less to more, from indirect to direct, and from one-way to two-way".

Cross-Straits trade volume has risen 120 times over the past 30 years, and the number of cross-Straits personnel exchanges has reached nearly 117 million.

"This fully shows that the cross-Straits relations have a profound economic and public opinion foundation," Dun said.

Li Kexin, minister of the Chinese embassy in the US, said that the recently concluded 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which made a clear strategic arrangement for the development of China in the next 30 years, provided an in-depth explanation on settling Taiwan-related affairs in the new era.

Li said he believes "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation" isn't a reality without complete national reunification.

"It is the fundamental interest of the Chinese nation as well as the necessary requirement for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation to solve the Taiwan issue and realize the complete reunification of China," he said.

"All Chinese people should actively promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and create and accumulate conditions for the ultimate realization of the reunification of the country."

Guest speakers expressed that the path of cross-Straits peaceful development is welcomed by the international community.

After the forum, Zhao Yumin, acting Chinese consul general in New York, spoke of his appreciation at a reception.

"We are deeply grateful to the 4.5 million Chinese in the US and tens of millions of Chinese overseas. Without your efforts, rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will not be realized completely," Zhao said.

xiaohong@chinadailyusa.com