Highlights of Xi's speech at gathering marking 40th anniversary of Message to Compatriots in Taiwan

BEIJING, January 2 (Xinhua) — President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at a gathering held Wednesday in Beijing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. Here are the key takeaways from his speech.

• China must be and will be reunified. It is a historical conclusion drawn over the 70 years of the development of cross-Strait relations, and a must for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era.
• The Taiwan question originated from national weakness and disorder, and will definitely end with national rejuvenation.
• We are all of the same family. The cross-Strait affairs are domestic affairs and should naturally be addressed through discussion and consultation by ourselves.
• We solemnly propose that political parties and all sectors on both sides of the Strait may recommend representatives to conduct extensive and in-depth democratic consultation on cross-Strait relations and the future of the nation, and establish institutional arrangement for peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, on the basis of the common political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence."
• Cross-Strait reunification is the trend of history. "Taiwan independence" goes against the trend of history and will lead to a dead end.
• We are willing to create broad space for peaceful reunification, but will leave no room for any form of separatist activities.
• Chinese don't fight Chinese. We are willing to strive for peaceful reunification with utmost sincerity and greatest efforts as peaceful reunification is in the best interests of compatriots across the Strait as well as the Chinese nation.
• We make no promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option of taking all necessary means. This does not target compatriots in Taiwan, but the interference of external forces and the very small number of "Taiwan independence" separatists and their activities.
• Both sides should enhance the free flow of trade, connectivity in infrastructure, exchange of energy and resources, and shared industrial standards.
• We sincerely hope all the compatriots in Taiwan treasure peace as much as they treasure their own eyes, and pursue national reunification as much as they pursue happiness.