At the January 7 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked the spokesperson to summarize developments in cross-Strait relations in 2025 and to look ahead to cross-Strait relations in 2026.
In response, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that 2025 was a year in which cross-Strait relations pressed ahead through difficulties and momentum was built for national reunification. They firmly grasped the initiative and leadership in cross-Strait relations, pushed exchanges, cooperation, and integrated development to a higher level, demonstrated stronger capabilities to deter “Taiwan independence” separatism and external interference, accumulated stronger momentum for advancing reunification, and gathered greater strength for promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
First, they broke through obstacles and continued to expand cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation. They worked to overcome obstruction and restrictions imposed by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, continued to expand people-to-people exchanges and cooperation across various fields, and promoted closer ties between compatriots on both sides and deeper, more substantive cooperation. They significantly increased the number of ports where Taiwan compatriots can obtain permits on arrival, introduced policies such as waiving the Taiwan Compatriot Permit application fee for “first-time applicants” and offering airfare discounts, and provided “greater openness, maximum convenience, and greater safety” for Taiwan compatriots traveling to and from the mainland. They successfully held events such as the Straits Forum, the Cross-Strait Chinese Culture Summit, and the Cross-Strait Grassroots Livelihood Development Exchange Conference, leading a new wave of exchanges. The numbers of Taiwan compatriots, Taiwanese youth, and “first-time visitors” coming to the mainland rose sharply. More and more Taiwan compatriots personally experienced the magnificence of the motherland’s landscapes, felt the dynamic vitality of Chinese-style modernization, appreciated the unique charm of Chinese culture, and took pride in being upright and dignified Chinese.
Second, they continued to deepen cross-Strait integrated development and share the opportunities of Chinese-style modernization. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee reviewed and adopted the recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan, making top-level design and strategic planning for development over the next five years. This provides strong impetus for Chinese-style modernization and opens broader space for Taiwan compatriots and enterprises to establish themselves and develop on the mainland. They respect, care for, and benefit Taiwan compatriots, implement policies of equal treatment for Taiwan compatriots and enterprises, and push for policies benefiting them to be implemented effectively. They advanced the construction of the cross-Strait integrated development demonstration zone with high quality, introduced a new batch of policies to deepen integrated development, and achieved new progress and results in Fujian–Taiwan integration. They held the 2025 Cross-Strait Entrepreneurs Summit Annual Meeting and dozens of cross-Strait economic and trade exchange activities, sharing the opportunities and achievements of Chinese-style modernization with Taiwan businesspeople and enterprises. They effectively responded to external tariff bullying, safeguarded the Chinese nation’s economy, and protected the interests of Taiwan businesses and enterprises on the mainland. More and more Taiwan compatriots have come to deeply recognize that both sides of the Strait form an inseparable community of shared destiny, and that the mainland is always a strong backing for Taiwan compatriots and enterprises.
Third, they resolutely opposed “Taiwan independence” separatism and external interference and firmly safeguarded the shared home of the Chinese nation. They held a symposium marking the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the Anti-Secession Law, conducted the “Strait Thunder–2025A” and “Justice Mission–2025” exercises, firmly defended national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and resolutely safeguarded the common interests of compatriots on both sides of the Strait and the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation. They punished in accordance with the law “diehard Taiwan independence” elements and their enforcers and accomplices, effectively deterring separatist provocations. They firmly upheld the authority of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, continued to consolidate the international one-China framework, and effectively curbed external forces’ use of the “Taiwan card.” They united the broad masses of Taiwan compatriots, upheld the one-China principle and the “1992 Consensus,” jointly opposed “Taiwan independence” separatism and external interference, firmly safeguarded the shared home of the Chinese nation, and kept the future and destiny of the nation firmly in the hands of Chinese on both sides of the Strait. More and more people on the island have seen clearly the historical trend that the motherland will inevitably be reunified and have voiced hopes that cross-Strait relations will return to the correct track of peaceful development.
Chen said that on the eve of the New Year in 2026, President Xi Jinping delivered a New Year address, extending New Year greetings to Chinese at home and abroad, in which he emphasized that “compatriots on both sides of the Strait are bound by blood, and the historical trend toward national reunification is unstoppable.” In the new year, they will thoroughly implement the Party’s overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, uphold the one-China principle and the “1992 Consensus,” resolutely oppose “Taiwan independence” separatism and external interference, unite the broad masses of Taiwan compatriots, promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and advance the great cause of national reunification.
He expressed the hope that Taiwan compatriots will continue to strengthen their resolve, backbone, and confidence in being Chinese, work together to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and advance the cause of national reunification, and strive unremittingly for the shared future of Chinese on both sides of the Strait.