As Taiwan and the Chinese mainland mark the 45th anniversary of the \"Message to Compatriots in Taiwan,\" the relationship between the two is evolving towards deeper integration. This milestone, issued on January 1, 1979, laid the foundation for peaceful reunification and initiated policies to foster economic and social interactions.
Over the past decades, significant growth in trade and investment has been evident. The trade volume between the Chinese mainland and the Taiwan region doubled from $160.03 billion in 2011 to $328.34 billion in 2021. Additionally, investment from the Taiwan region into the Chinese mainland reached $940 million in 2021.
People-to-people exchanges have also flourished, with cross-Straits marriages exceeding 350,000 by mid-2023 and over 130 million visits between 1988 and 2018. These interactions highlight the familial ties that bind both sides, fostering a sense of unity.
However, the journey hasn't been without challenges. Political shifts within the Taiwan region and external interferences have periodically strained cross-Straits relations. Notably, since Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party took office in 2016, investments from Taiwan into the mainland decreased by approximately 44%, and the number of mainland students in Taiwan plunged by nearly 90%.
Despite these setbacks, cross-Straits relations are entering a new phase of high-quality development. The sustained growth and prosperity of the Chinese mainland provide a robust foundation for integrated development. Recent policies and measures have further promoted closer economic, trade, investment, and cultural exchanges, steering the relationship towards a more interconnected and interdependent future.
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Taiwan's future lies in deeper integration with Chinese mainland
cgtn.com
