By Deng Bibo and Chen Yue
The report of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) pointed out that to solve the Taiwan question and realize complete reunification of China is the common aspiration of all Chinese people and in the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation. The white paper, titled "China's National Defense in the New Era" and released by the State Council Information Office recently, has stressed that China has to and must be unified. China has firm determination and strong ability to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. It cannot allow anyone, any organization, or any political party, to separate any piece of Chinese territory from China at any time and in any form.
The Chinese nation is a peace-loving nation. In the course of civilization that dates back to more than 5,000 years ago, the people of all ethnic groups in China have created a unified multi-ethnic country, and they have profoundly realized that national reunification can bring peace, while ethnic division will inevitably lead to frequent turmoil and wars. Despite short-term separations and local divisions in Chinese history, national unity has always been the main theme of historical evolution and common spiritual pillar of all ethnic groups. The value concept of safeguarding national unity has long been deeply immersed in the blood of the Chinese people, engraved into their genes, and is the spiritual source for maintaining the long-lasting prosperity of Chinese civilization.
Realizing the complete reunification of China is an inevitable requirement for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Without complete reunification of China, there can be no national revival in true sense. Historically, Taiwan’s destiny has always been closely linked to the rise and fall of the motherland. The complete reunification of the motherland is not only the long-cherished aspiration of the Chinese nation, but also the mighty trend that no one can stop. The Taiwan question was caused by national weakness and disorder, and is bound to end with the national rejuvenation.
The policy of "Peaceful reunification; one country, two systems", has fully considered the reality of Taiwan and is conducive to the long-term stability of Taiwan after reunification, which is the best way to achieve national reunification. The compatriots on both sides of the strait are all Chinese. Blood is thicker than water. The natural emotions of keeping watch and helping each other and the national identity cannot be changed by any force. With a strong motherland to rely on, the Taiwan compatriots will have an even better welfare, greater development space, and be more emboldened, safer and more dignified in the international community. Only when the country is reunified can the Chinese on both sides of the strait live a prosperous and good life, only then can the Chinese nation stand in the world with an entirely new posture. Compatriots on both sides of the strait should work together to contribute wisdom and strength to the realization of the peaceful reunification of the motherland and jointly become participants, devotees and beneficiaries of national reunification and national rejuvenation.
Activities of "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and the interference of external forces are doomed to failure. The white paper emphasized that the situation of the anti-separatist struggle is even more severe. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities stubbornly adhere to the "Taiwan independence" separatist stance, refuse to recognize the "1992 Consensus" that reflects the one-China principle, step up the implementation of policies including "desinicization", "gradual Taiwan independence", and plot to promote "dejure Taiwan independence", in an effort to strengthen hostile confrontation, raise its own status depending on external forces, and go further on the road of separatism. The external forces regard Taiwan as a chip and attempt to "use Taiwan to control China" to deter China's peaceful development. However, no matter how fierce the "Taiwan independence" separatists and external forces are, they cannot change the general consensus of the international community that Taiwan is an integral part of China. The historical and jurisprudential fact that both sides of the strait belong to the same country of China cannot be changed by any one or any party. There is only one future for Taiwan, that is, to reunify with the motherland. The "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, having unrealistic fantasies about external forces and taking retroactive activities, are destined to get shattered against harsh realities.
The Chinese military will resolutely defend the reunification of the motherland at all costs. The Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. China is willing to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and best efforts. However, in the face of external interference forces’ attempt to split Taiwan from China, and violent activities by a handful of "Taiwan independence" separatists, the Chinese military, as a strong pillar and backbone to safeguard national security, must make all preparations to provide strategic support for defending national sovereignty, reunification and territorial integrity. The white paper stressed that we make not promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option of taking all necessary measures. This is by no means targeted at our compatriots in Taiwan, but at the interference of external forces and the very small number of "Taiwan independence" separatists and their activities. The PLA will resolutely defeat anyone attempting to separate Taiwan from China and safeguard national unity at all costs.
The trend of history goes forward with great strength and vigor. Those who follows the trend is to grow prosperous, while those going against it is destined to die. Reunification is the historical trend and the right path; "Taiwan independence" goes against the trend of history and will lead to a dead end. A powerful country, the national rejuvenation, and the reunification of the two sides of the strait are the irresistible trends of times, reflecting the righteousness and the will of the people, and they are unstoppable by any force.
(The author is from the War Institute of the Academy of Military Sciences)
