Liu Jieyi (L1), the Chinese mainland's Taiwan affairs chief, meets with the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 5, 2019. /VCG Photo
"Reunification of the motherland" is an inevitable trend, the Chinese mainland's Taiwan affairs chief said on Tuesday, calling on people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to make joint efforts for the goal.
Liu Jieyi, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks on the sidelines of China's annual legislative session in Beijing.
"The difference in our systems is not an obstacle for reunification, nor it is an excuse for secession," Liu stressed. "Nobody can stop the inevitable trend of reunification of the motherland."
He described the "One Country, Two Systems" principle as the best arrangement for national reunification.
After peaceful reunification, Taiwan compatriots' way of life and social systems will be fully respected and their property, religious beliefs and lawful rights will be fully protected, he said, noting the premise is that the country's sovereignty, security and development interests must be guaranteed.
Taiwan compatriots will enjoy a happier, more prosperous and more confident life after reunification, he added.
Liu spoke with a group of reporters as part of the "Ministers' Corridor" event after the opening of the second session of the 13th National People's Congress on Tuesday morning.
The "Ministers' Corridor" has become an important part of China's political season each year. The nearly 100-meter-long passageway at the Great Hall of the People provides a chance for ministers and heads of various state departments to communicate with Chinese and foreign media.
In his speech on January 2, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a strong message calling for national reunification.
"China must be and will be reunified," Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said to a gathering to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. "Cross-Strait reunification is the trend of history. 'Taiwan independence' goes against the trend of history and will lead to a dead end."
He stressed that the mainland is willing to "create broad space for peaceful reunification" but does not promise to renounce the use of force.