Mainland confident, capable of tackling growing risks over cross-Strait relations

BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland is fully confident and capable of dealing with challenges and pushing forward the development of relations across the Taiwan Strait in 2018, a mainland spokesperson said Wednesday.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that cross-Strait relations were facing increasingly complex factors, risks and challenges in 2018, at a news briefing.

"The Chinese mainland will continue to adhere to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, resolutely oppose and contain all forms of 'Taiwan independence,' actively expand cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, and boost social and economic integrated development across the Taiwan Strait," Ma said.

Trade volume across the Taiwan Strait reached a record high of nearly 199.4 billion U.S dollars in 2017, up 11.3 percent from the previous year, Ma said.

The spokesperson said the mainland would share its development opportunities with Taiwan compatriots, ensuring Taiwan compatriots on the mainland would enjoy equal treatment as mainland compatriots in study, entrepreneurship, employment and life.

"We will closely unite compatriots across the Taiwan Strait, work together to push forward the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and promote peaceful reunification of the motherland," the spokesperson said.

Ma said the cross-Strait situation was more "complex and severe" in 2017. The Democratic Progressive Party administration refused to recognize the 1992 Consensus and impeded cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, he said.

"Forces advocating 'Taiwan independence' undermine the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait, threaten peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and severely harm the interests of Taiwan compatriots," he said.

"In 2017, the Chinese mainland rolled out more than 20 policies to provide Taiwanese people who live, work or travel on the mainland with better services," he said. "The mainland also promoted cross-Strait cooperation in various fields by providing cross-Strait compatriots more exchange opportunities in 2017." Enditem