Taiwan, China: Images

[TaiShang]

Chinese debate show ‘I Can I BIBI’ huge cross-Straits success among young viewers

By Luo Yunzhou Source:Global Times Published: 2018/12/10

From left: Hosts Ma Dong, Li Dan and Kevin Tsai on I Can I BIBI Photo: IC

If you spend any time walking around public spaces in China, there is a high chance that you've heard people talking about I Can I BIBI, the famous Chinese online variety show that just wrapped up its fifth season on Saturday.

Known as Qipa Shuo in Chinese and formerly U Can U BIBI in English until this season, the show is a debate program produced by online video platforms iQiyi and Miwei Media. During each episode, two teams debate about a single topic, and the team that gains the most votes from live studio audience wins the round. The show became a huge sensation after its first season debuted in 2015, and four seasons later it has still managed to keep its appeal. The fourth season of the show racked up more than 780 million views.

The fifth season this year, which kicked off on September 21, was one of the most talked about subjects on Chinese social media since participants from all over the world applied to take part in the debate program.

Talking about life

"I like this season of I Can I BIBI," Sun Yizhu, a student who is also a member of the debate team at Beijing Forestry University, shared her opinion of the recent season with the Global Times.

"Every topic has made me think, especially when candidates express their opinions from different perspectives and in different ways. I really adore it. I want to be one of the debaters."

The fifth season, released under the rebranded name I Can I BIBI, has attracted a huge number of fans with its new rules and new faces. When the final episode of season 5 was released on Saturday, there were more than 6 billion posts related to the show on Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo, while the show topped the most-searched lists on a number of online platform such as Baidu, Zhihu and Yi'en.

"More topics about love and relationship have been added into the discussion," Sun said.

"Which I think caters more to the tastes of the public because they are closer to everyday life."

According to the data released by Chinese streaming site iQiyi.cn, 65 percent of the show's viewers are aged 18 to 35. Therefore, more topics related to the lives of young Chinese have been discussed on the show such as "Who should apologize first when you fight in a relationship," or "If you had a button that would display how much your partner loves you, would you push it?"

The latest season's decision to include more candidates and guests from Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia has also helped fuel the show's popularity outside the Chinese mainland.

Kevin Tsai, one of the show's hosts and a huge name in his home province of Taiwan, has played a key role in getting fans from the island to tune into the mainland show.

"Tsai doesn't just debate, he digs deep into human nature," netizen Zhoushiyu noted on Chines Q&A platform Zhihu.

"He has a big heart and can see straight to the essence of a topic."

Jonas Hwang, also born in Taiwan, a professional debater who won the International Varsity Debate competition in 2003 and 2005, has also helped attract viewers from the island.

"I saw a lot of improvement in these candidates. Also, because this is not a pure debate, it is also a TV show, so it is important to have empathy. You need to stir up the emotions of the audience," Sun said.

Rise and fall of variety shows

With the rise of variety shows such as I Can I BIBI, Temptation Banquet (Fanju de Youhuo) and Who's the Murderer in China in recent years, more and more viewers from Southeast Asia have become hardcore fans of mainland shows.

"I watched Qipa Shuo, it was very deep. I felt so sad I cried," a netizen nicknamed X noted on Twitter.

In Taiwan, I Can I BIBI ranks at No.3 among all online variety shows. This has sparked discussion about the rise in mainland shows and the decline of those produced in Taiwan.

"I have to say I find this quite normal, because the mainland has been constantly developing at a rapid pace, while Taiwan just stays still and even goes backward," netizen Xuweizhounzhangkailin noted on Chinese media review platform Douban.

"I think the gap between the two will become larger in the future."

Also on Douban, an article written by a netizen who claims to be from Taiwan named Shihuahaitan gained a lot of attention on social media for accusing the Taiwan TV show School Babe Come (Xiaohua Laile) of plagiarizing I Can I BIBI.

The article listed in detail the rules and format of both shows, demonstrating the similarities between the two.

"Before we laughed at shows from the mainland, saying they could only copy others. Then we looked down on them for buying a lot of copyrights for shows. And now, we have finally started to copy them - how sad."

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1131180.shtml

@long_ , @Nan Yang , @powastick

 

[TaiShang]

Chinese mainland offers preferential policies for Taiwan compatriots

CGTN
2018-12-26

The Chinese mainland will offer further preferential policies for Taiwan compatriots, said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, on Wednesday at a press conference.

Taiwan compatriots will enjoy tax incentives based on the newly amended individual income tax law, which is set to be effective starting January 1, 2019, Ma said.

Before the individual income tax law was revised, Chinese overseas, including Taiwan compatriots, who have lived in the Chinese mainland for up to five years and don't own a house in the Chinese mainland, were exempt from tax on overseas income gained from outside the Chinese mainland.

People overseas only pay individual income tax based on their income gained from the Chinese mainland and overseas income gained from payment on the Chinese mainland, he said.

According to the amended regulation, the exemption period will be extended to six years.

Kinmen Islands in Taiwan is only about 161 kilometers away from the Chinese mainland. / VCG Photo

In addition, the Chinese mainland will make more efforts to create a better business environment for Taiwan-funded enterprises and more convenient life for Taiwan compatriots.

Thanks to a number of new measures announced by the Chinese mainland to enhance cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, over 1,000 Taiwan-funded enterprises have enjoyed preferential policies, and some even won the bidding for major government procurements in the Chinese mainland this year, such as Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge and Beijing's new airport.

The number of Taiwan students applying for colleges, internships, employment or establishing businesses in the Chinese mainland maintained double-digit growth in 2018.

Thirty-one measures announced by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council in February this year include equal treatment for Taiwan enterprises and providing Taiwan compatriots equality with Chinese mainland compatriots in education, setting up businesses, working and living in the Chinese mainland.

The Spring Festival, or the New Year according to the lunar Chinese calendar, is the most important holiday in our culture and both sides across the Strait have approved extra flights for the season over the years, Ma said.

Five new cross-Strait exchange bases will be set up to promote enhanced communication between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to understand history and culture, the spokesperson noted.

A total of 66 exchanges bases have already been set up on the Chinese mainland since 2009, including the Confucius Temple in east China's Shandong Province.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/3d3d514e3467544e31457a6333566d54/share_p.html

 

[TaiShang]

Xi to attend gathering marking 40th anniversary of Message to Compatriots in Taiwan

Xinhua, December 31, 2018

President Xi Jinping will attend a gathering to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing Message to Compatriots in Taiwan, scheduled for Wednesday morning in Beijing.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will deliver a speech at the gathering, to be held at the Great Hall of the People at 10 a.m. on January 2.

The event will be broadcast live by China Media Group and on Xinhua News Agency's website (xinhuanet.com). The event will also be rebroadcast simultaneously on major news websites including people.com.cn, cctv.com and china.com.cn as well as on news apps run by the People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency and China Central Television.

http://www.china.org.cn/china/2018-12/31/content_74328714.htm

 

[TaiShang]

40th anniversary of 'Message to Compatriots in Taiwan': Closer than ever to national rejuvenation


By Li Deyi
2019-01-01

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the issuing of "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan." Elevating and achieving closer and better cross-Strait relations reflects mainstream public opinion on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Some officials say "we are closer than ever to the goal of national rejuvenation" in commemorating the anniversary.

Milestones in process of cross-Strait relations

On New Year's Day of 1979, the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC) issued "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan," stating major policies to realize peaceful reunification of the motherland.

The message marks the beginning of a new historical period in the theory and practice of resolving issues relevant to Taiwan, and a new chapter in the development of cross-Strait relations.

"Reunification of China today is consonant with popular sentiment and the general trend of development," the message said, reiterating that the firm stand of One China and opposition to an independent Taiwan are the basis for cross-Strait co-operation.

"Every Chinese, in Taiwan or on the mainland, has a compelling responsibility for the survival, growth, and prosperity of the Chinese nation," the message also said, encouraging every Chinese to treasure national interests and make valuable contributions to the reunification of the motherland.

Preferential policies for Taiwan compatriots

Over the 40 years, many policies and propositions raised in the message have become a reality and more preferential policies for Taiwan compatriots have been carried out recently.

Taking the 31 measures unveiled in February 2018 for example, the measures cover industry, finance and taxation, land use, employment, education and healthcare, and are aimed at sharing the opportunities of the mainland's development with Taiwan compatriots.

According to the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, more than 1,000 Taiwan-funded companies have been offered tax incentives by the mainland, over 100 Taiwan enterprises have received financial support, and around 800 Taiwan residents have passed the mainland's vocational qualification exams over the past year.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the office, also noted at a press conference last week that Taiwan compatriots will enjoy further preferential treatment on individual income tax after a new regulation issued by the Chinese mainland takes effect on January 1, 2019.

Achieving peaceful reunification

"After decades of efforts, we are closer than ever to the goal of national rejuvenation and we are also more confident and more capable of realizing national rejuvenation and reunification," vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Tung Chee-hwa said at a commemoration of the 40th anniversary of issuing "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan."

It had been proved over the past 40 years that development would be difficult in any field without a peaceful environment, chairman of Taiwan's New Party Yok Mu-ming said at a 40th-anniversary ceremony.

In the past 40 years, it was because of peace that the mainland and Taiwan had gone through relations from peaceful exchanges to peaceful development, and would eventually reach the goal of peaceful reunification in the future, Yok said.

The mainland's reform and opening-up and modernization provided solid safeguard for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, deputy director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council Chen Yuanfeng said at the ceremony, noting that the shared blood, history, and culture had always been an inexhaustible driving force for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

(With inputs from Xinhua News Agency)

https://news.cgtn.com/news/3d3d774d78417a4e31457a6333566d54/share_p.html

 

[TaiShang]

Highlights of Xi's speech on 40th anniversary of 'Message to Compatriots in Taiwan'

CGTN
2019-01-02

One Chinese dream

Xi said people living in the mainland and Taiwan share one Chinese dream and that a strong and prosperous China will bring well-being to both sides.

Realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and reunification is the historical trend, he said, stressing that realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is shared by all Chinese, and Taiwan compatriots cannot be left out of the process.

'Family issue'

Xi pointed out that the cross-Strait issues are a "family issue", which should be resolved by the family members themselves.

The difference in systems is not an obstacle to unification or an excuse for separation, he said.

He expressed his hope that people on both sides will join hands and promote cross-Strait relations under the political foundation of the 1992 Consensus and oppose Taiwan secession.

Reunification is the 'trend of history'

Reunification is the trend of history and the right path, while "Taiwan independence" is against it and it is doomed to fail, Xi said.

He said the mainland will not give up on using force to defeat separatists and their activities, but stressed that such acts are not targeting Taiwan compatriots.

Integrated development

By having a strong motherland to rely on, the livelihood of Taiwan compatriots will improve and they will have more space for development, Xi said.

The Chinese president also called on promoting the institutionalization of cross-Strait economic cooperation by building a common market for both the mainland and Taiwan.

He also vowed to promote cooperation between the two sides in areas including culture, education and medical cooperation, and to boost the sharing of social welfare and public resources.

Mutual understanding and trust

Xi said it is important to promote the recognition of peaceful reunification among people on both sides.

He said people from both sides of the Strait share the same roots and culture, and there's no knot that cannot be untied. Through time and effort, Xi added, people on both sides can surely bring about more common understanding.

On New Year's Day of 1979, the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC) issued the "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan", stating major policies to realize peaceful reunification of China.

The message marks the beginning of a new historical period in the theory and practice of resolving issues relevant to Taiwan, and a new chapter in the development of cross-Strait relations.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/3d3d514f354d7a4e31457a6333566d54/share_p.html

 

[Place Of Space]

One Nation, Two System; Peaceful Unification.

 

[TaiShang]

One Nation, Two System; Peaceful Unification.

I feel it is coming. . President Xi's choice of some words was quite significant （中国必须统一，也必然统一。）. Hopefully independence radicals took good note of them.

***

Xi speech shifts Taiwan focus from stability to reunification

By Yang Sheng Source:Global Times Published: 2019/1/2

President Xi Jinping delivers a speech during an event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the issuing of a "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan" at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua


President Xi Jinping proposed that the Chinese mainland and the island of Taiwan should conduct democratic consultation on cross-Straits relations and the future of the nation, and explore the plan of "two systems" for the island as well as establishing an institutional arrangement for peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a gathering in Beijing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the issuing of a "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan."

Analysts noted that Xi's speech marked a change in focus by the Chinese mainland from maintaining stability across the Taiwan Straits to actively promoting the reunification of the country with a road map.

The message issued 40 years ago ended the military confrontation and hostile relationship between the two sides and initiated peaceful reunification, and Xi's speech stressed that "peaceful reunification and the 'one country two systems' are the best way to realize the reunification of the country," the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The Taiwan question originated from national weakness and disorder, and will definitely end with national rejuvenation, and the reunification of the country is the inevitable requirement for national rejuvenation, Xi said, according to Xinhua.

Forty years ago, the mainland had no capability to guide and control the direction of the cross-Straits relationship, analysts noted, but now the mainland can more confidently and powerfully set the agenda for a future solution to the Taiwan question. That is why at this time the mainland has decided to change its focus and push more actively for reunification, they noted.

Political parties and all sectors on both sides of the Straits may recommend representatives to conduct extensive and in-depth democratic consultation on the basis of the common political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence," Xi said.

Yu Keli, director of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Taiwan Studies in Beijing, told the Global Times on Wednesday that Xi's speech was "a consistent stance of the mainland, and the reason the mainland initiated the establishment of an institutional arrangement was to break the current political deadlock across the Straits."

Exchanges, cooperation and communications are already taking place between peoples on the two sides.

Mainland experts assert that Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the pro-separatist party "ruling" the island province, is standing in the way of further political progress.

The DPP refuses to acknowledge the 1992 Consensus, causing a deadlock in political exchanges and consultations across the Straits.

The 1992 Consensus reached in Singapore states that both sides recognize only one China and both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to the same China. The agreement simply known as the 1992 Consensus enabled exchanges between people on both sides of the Straits to flourish, until the DPP came to power in 2000 and again in 2016.

In his speech, Xi stressed that achieving national rejuvenation and cross-Straits reunification is the trend of history, which can never be blocked by anyone or any force. "China must be and will be reunified."

"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, Xi noted.

"Taiwan independence" goes against the trend of history and will lead to a dead end, Xi said.

Yu said that "this is a clear signal to political groups within the island of Taiwan that maintaining the status quo is not the final goal for cross-Straits relations, and future development of relations should be oriented by reunification."

In the past "the foundation for cross-Straits exchange was always hit and shaken by the transition of power on the island. When Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party [DPP] came to power for example, the achievements reached with the KMT [Chinese Kuomintang Party in Taiwan, which acknowledges the 1992 Consensus] were negated," said Song Luzheng, an analyst of Taiwan affairs and a research fellow at the China Institute of Fudan University in Shanghai.

Some KMT politicians during former leader Ma Ying-jeou's tenure also refused to promote reunification and stuck to the status quo, Song said.

This is also part of the deadlock, and the deadlock should not be accepted forever, Song noted, and that's why Xi called for the establishment of an institutional arrangement, "which will not be impacted by power transitions within the island."

Post-reunification era

The practice of peaceful reunification and the plan for "two systems" on the island should be explored, Xi said.

Xi's speech on Wednesday was consistent with the 1979 "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan," Yu said.

Taiwan will be guaranteed lasting peace after peaceful reunification, Xi said at the gathering.

On the basis of ensuring China's sovereignty, security and development interests, Taiwan's social system and way of life will be fully respected, and the private property, religious beliefs and legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots will be fully protected after peaceful reunification is realized, Xi said.

"We are all of the same family. The cross-Straits affairs are domestic affairs and should naturally be addressed through discussion and consultation by ourselves," Xi said.

Yu said this shows that the mainland has already started to consider the arrangement for the post-reunification era and all cooperation, consultations or negotiations between the two sides of the Straits should be oriented toward reunification.

"The peaceful development of the cross-Straits relationship could only be meaningful when it is oriented toward reunification," Yu said.

Chinese people's affairs should be decided by the Chinese people, Xi said, stressing that the Taiwan question concerns China's core interests and the national bond of the Chinese people.

China's reunification does not harm any country's legitimate interests, including their economic interests, in Taiwan, Xi said.

It will only bring more development opportunities to other countries, inject more positive energy into the prosperity and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, and make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for humanity, to world peace and development, and to the cause of human progress, he said.

Impact on island

A series of "regional elections" within the island in November 2018 brought huge losses to the DPP, while the KMT party, which acknowledges the 1992 Consensus, has regained control of many counties and cities in the island.

The "general election" of the leader in the island will take place in 2020, and at the moment major political parties and their politicians within the island are preparing for the general election next year.

Tsai Ing-wen, the leader of the island, responded negatively to Xi's speech and initiative, saying her administration refuses to accept the 1992 Consensus and opposes one country, two systems, Taiwan-based chinatimes.com reported.

Chen Xiancai, a professor with the Taiwan Research Institute at Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that "Tsai's response is very unwise and she is picking a dead-end. The people's will within the island has already given the DPP a lesson in November, but it seems like Tsai didn't learn and decided to embrace the DPP's most extreme and radical supporters: the separatists."

Currently the approval ratings for the KMT and nonparty group who control Taipei, which accept "the two sides of the Straits are family," are rising while the DPP's are dropping.

"The DPP is not that important, and the core mission for the mainland is to gain support and get connected with the ordinary people. The separatists in the island will be abandoned by the Taiwan compatriots eventually. Probably just one year later in 2020's 'general election.'"

http://www.globaltimes.cn

 

[Place Of Space]

I feel it is coming. . President Xi's choice of some words was quite significant （中国必须统一，也必然统一。）. Hopefully independence radicals took good note of them.

***

Xi speech shifts Taiwan focus from stability to reunification

By Yang Sheng Source:Global Times Published: 2019/1/2

President Xi Jinping delivers a speech during an event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the issuing of a "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan" at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua


President Xi Jinping proposed that the Chinese mainland and the island of Taiwan should conduct democratic consultation on cross-Straits relations and the future of the nation, and explore the plan of "two systems" for the island as well as establishing an institutional arrangement for peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a gathering in Beijing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the issuing of a "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan."

Analysts noted that Xi's speech marked a change in focus by the Chinese mainland from maintaining stability across the Taiwan Straits to actively promoting the reunification of the country with a road map.

The message issued 40 years ago ended the military confrontation and hostile relationship between the two sides and initiated peaceful reunification, and Xi's speech stressed that "peaceful reunification and the 'one country two systems' are the best way to realize the reunification of the country," the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The Taiwan question originated from national weakness and disorder, and will definitely end with national rejuvenation, and the reunification of the country is the inevitable requirement for national rejuvenation, Xi said, according to Xinhua.

Forty years ago, the mainland had no capability to guide and control the direction of the cross-Straits relationship, analysts noted, but now the mainland can more confidently and powerfully set the agenda for a future solution to the Taiwan question. That is why at this time the mainland has decided to change its focus and push more actively for reunification, they noted.

Political parties and all sectors on both sides of the Straits may recommend representatives to conduct extensive and in-depth democratic consultation on the basis of the common political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence," Xi said.

Yu Keli, director of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Taiwan Studies in Beijing, told the Global Times on Wednesday that Xi's speech was "a consistent stance of the mainland, and the reason the mainland initiated the establishment of an institutional arrangement was to break the current political deadlock across the Straits."

Exchanges, cooperation and communications are already taking place between peoples on the two sides.

Mainland experts assert that Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the pro-separatist party "ruling" the island province, is standing in the way of further political progress.

The DPP refuses to acknowledge the 1992 Consensus, causing a deadlock in political exchanges and consultations across the Straits.

The 1992 Consensus reached in Singapore states that both sides recognize only one China and both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to the same China. The agreement simply known as the 1992 Consensus enabled exchanges between people on both sides of the Straits to flourish, until the DPP came to power in 2000 and again in 2016.

In his speech, Xi stressed that achieving national rejuvenation and cross-Straits reunification is the trend of history, which can never be blocked by anyone or any force. "China must be and will be reunified."

"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, Xi noted.

"Taiwan independence" goes against the trend of history and will lead to a dead end, Xi said.

Yu said that "this is a clear signal to political groups within the island of Taiwan that maintaining the status quo is not the final goal for cross-Straits relations, and future development of relations should be oriented by reunification."

In the past "the foundation for cross-Straits exchange was always hit and shaken by the transition of power on the island. When Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party [DPP] came to power for example, the achievements reached with the KMT [Chinese Kuomintang Party in Taiwan, which acknowledges the 1992 Consensus] were negated," said Song Luzheng, an analyst of Taiwan affairs and a research fellow at the China Institute of Fudan University in Shanghai.

Some KMT politicians during former leader Ma Ying-jeou's tenure also refused to promote reunification and stuck to the status quo, Song said.

This is also part of the deadlock, and the deadlock should not be accepted forever, Song noted, and that's why Xi called for the establishment of an institutional arrangement, "which will not be impacted by power transitions within the island."

Post-reunification era

The practice of peaceful reunification and the plan for "two systems" on the island should be explored, Xi said.

Xi's speech on Wednesday was consistent with the 1979 "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan," Yu said.

Taiwan will be guaranteed lasting peace after peaceful reunification, Xi said at the gathering.

On the basis of ensuring China's sovereignty, security and development interests, Taiwan's social system and way of life will be fully respected, and the private property, religious beliefs and legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots will be fully protected after peaceful reunification is realized, Xi said.

"We are all of the same family. The cross-Straits affairs are domestic affairs and should naturally be addressed through discussion and consultation by ourselves," Xi said.

Yu said this shows that the mainland has already started to consider the arrangement for the post-reunification era and all cooperation, consultations or negotiations between the two sides of the Straits should be oriented toward reunification.

"The peaceful development of the cross-Straits relationship could only be meaningful when it is oriented toward reunification," Yu said.

Chinese people's affairs should be decided by the Chinese people, Xi said, stressing that the Taiwan question concerns China's core interests and the national bond of the Chinese people.

China's reunification does not harm any country's legitimate interests, including their economic interests, in Taiwan, Xi said.

It will only bring more development opportunities to other countries, inject more positive energy into the prosperity and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, and make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for humanity, to world peace and development, and to the cause of human progress, he said.

Impact on island

A series of "regional elections" within the island in November 2018 brought huge losses to the DPP, while the KMT party, which acknowledges the 1992 Consensus, has regained control of many counties and cities in the island.

The "general election" of the leader in the island will take place in 2020, and at the moment major political parties and their politicians within the island are preparing for the general election next year.

Tsai Ing-wen, the leader of the island, responded negatively to Xi's speech and initiative, saying her administration refuses to accept the 1992 Consensus and opposes one country, two systems, Taiwan-based chinatimes.com reported.

Chen Xiancai, a professor with the Taiwan Research Institute at Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that "Tsai's response is very unwise and she is picking a dead-end. The people's will within the island has already given the DPP a lesson in November, but it seems like Tsai didn't learn and decided to embrace the DPP's most extreme and radical supporters: the separatists."

Currently the approval ratings for the KMT and nonparty group who control Taipei, which accept "the two sides of the Straits are family," are rising while the DPP's are dropping.

"The DPP is not that important, and the core mission for the mainland is to gain support and get connected with the ordinary people. The separatists in the island will be abandoned by the Taiwan compatriots eventually. Probably just one year later in 2020's 'general election.'"

http://www.globaltimes.cn

The independence radical politicians can only be killed, captured or expelled, I think it's impossible to convince them change mind.

 

[TaiShang]

The independence radical politicians can only be killed, captured or expelled, I think it's impossible to convince them change mind.

I agree that they won't be changing their mind. It is like a business; if they change their mind, they will be out of business.

I guess at the first instance of China's forced overtake, they will be boarding the first charter plane to flee some neighbors or across the Pacific.

But, new generations do not have that heavy ideological baggage. They are more opportunistic, care about their personal welfare and have a much better (higher) understanding of Mainland China.

 

[TaiShang]

Big data tech helps 101 Taiwan veterans find mainland relatives

(Global Times) 08:45, January 07, 2019

A 97-year-old veteran from the island of Taiwan pays his respects to his parents in Luzhou, Southwest China's Sichuan Province in April 2017. Photo: Courtesy of Jinri Toutiao


More than 100 veterans in the island of Taiwan have found their relatives in the Chinese mainland with the assistance of big data analysis technology.

Liu Yaliang, director of the "Finding missing relatives" initiated by Jinri Toutiao, one of China's most popular social media platforms, told the Global Times on Sunday that the project has helped 101 Taiwan's veterans find their hometowns in the mainland, with the oldest one being 100 years old.

Liu said one of the veterans has been separated from his relatives in the mainland for 80 years.

In 1949, the Kuomintang (KMT) Party led by Chiang Kai-shek was defeated in a civil war by the Communist Party of China, which later founded the People's Republic of China. Many KMT members fled to Taiwan in the aftermath of the conflict, causing many families to be split up.

According to the company, it first utilized its location database to pinpoint veterans' hometowns and then sent messages to the region's users who have installed the application to spread the information.

In March 2017, the first veteran who found his hometown was Hu Dingyuan, 97, whose relatives are living in Luzhou, Southwest China's Sichuan Province. After reading the message, a journalist from the Chengdu Business Daily voluntarily went to Luzhou and found Hu's relatives who had lost touch with Hu for 77 years on April 10.

"These veterans came back immediately after finding their hometowns and relatives in the mainland through the platform," Liu said. She said these soldiers "worshiped their parents and had a family reunion dinner with folks and relatives."

"When departure, most of the veterans chose to take back a bottle of homeland soil to Taiwan," Liu added. "Occasionally, a deceased veteran's descendant would bring his bone ashes and place them in the family graveyard."

The project was officially launched in December 2017 following a nine-month trial, and is supported by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, Liu said.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2019/0107/c90000-9535137.html

 

[TaiShang]

Working for a KMT victory in 2020. As DPP goes radical, KMT goes to the roots of its existence, which is unification. Incredible, likely KMT chair is talking about a step-by-step approach to unification under a One Country, Two Systems model.

@AndrewJin , @Han Patriot , @+4vsgorillas-Apebane , @Chinese-Dragon , @Daniel808 , @long_ , @Raphael

***

Chang Ya-chung aims to lead KMT toward ending cross-Straits hostility, prepare for unification

Source:Global Times Published: 2019/1/8

Chang Ya-chung Photo: VCG


Editor's Note:

The public is guessing which Kuomintang (KMT) Party members are going to bid to head the party ahead of the elections for the leader of Taiwan in 2020.

Chang Ya-chung, known as an academician, surprised the public by announcing his candidacy on a political TV program on January 4.

Chang said he "could not bear to see Taiwan keep falling," so he decided to run to be the KMT candidate in 2020.

Chang told the Global Times on January 5 that he will begin with political arrangements to lead to unification which is "how to end hostility."

GT: Why did you decide to run the leadership election?

Chang: The decision was made as early as Hung Hsiu-chu, former KMT chairman, failed to take part in the leadership election. I decided to work on the basis of her efforts. Now that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) insists on "Taiwan independence," and some people in the blue camp (KMT supporters) are also taking this route, I cannot bear to see Taiwan keep falling.

I have thought clearly about cross-Straits relations at my age, 40. I've been doing one thing over the past two decades, which is fighting against so-called "Taiwan independence." There should be peace and development instead of war between the two sides of the Straits.

GT: Can we have some of your politics?

Chang: I understand that the mainland's "One country, two systems" for Taiwan is a political arrangement after peaceful unification, and I will start with the political arrangements to lead to unification or "how to end hostilities." The next step is to promote the two sides to move toward integration. Peaceful unification can be achieved on the basis of these two steps.

The process won't take too long, because we Chinese people are wise and able. The two sides see close civil and economic interactions despite the current hostile status. Once the hostility ends, and Taiwan refuses to be a chess piece of the US, the two sides will integrate after three decades.

Once the barrier is removed, how can politicians cut the blood relationship that has lasted for 5,000 years?

Taiwan residents queue to vote in local elections in November 2018. Photo: VCG


GT: Is there any similarity between your politics and the "Once country, two systems" proposed at a gathering to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan? How do you comment about the Tsai administration's response?

Chang: "One country, two systems" is an innovative proposal and worth deliberation. However, the DPP maliciously misinforms the people, criticizing the proposal indiscriminately. Some people in the blue camp dare not to give an active response to the proposal for fear of the US.

Tsai has a rather low support rate currently, there is no way for her to abandon "Taiwan independence."

GT: You said that for both the blue camp and green camp, it is hard to get rid of the influence of the US once taking power. Will you be an exception if you win the election?



Chang: I will definitely be an exception. Taiwan can maintain peace with the mainland while keeping a good relationship with the US. However, it doesn't mean that Taiwan has to be a card played by the US.

Shaking off control of the US needs cooperation from the mainland.

The US will surely not be happy to see the signing of a cross-Straits peace agreement. However, it depends on the will of the both sides, and it depends on how the Taiwan leader persuades the people. If I become the leader, I am able to and will make efforts to realize it.

GT: Do you think you will be a "dark horse" even though the outside world holds a negative opinion?

Chang: I believe I will be a "dark horse." Quite a few people think that I am nothing but a professor without political experience. The fact is that I have been participating in work involving elections since 1996. I drafted policies for Mr. Chen Li-an in the 1990s when Taiwan had its first direct leader election. After 2000, I organized and participated in a series of social movements and established an association to promote cross-Straits peace and integration.

I know about the mainland as well as Taiwan, and I have knowledge on international law and politics. In the meantime, I am willing to make excellent plans, becoming a good communicator across the Straits. I am not merely an academician, I am a practitioner of social affairs.

Honestly, it does not completely depend on me to win the election, but on the resolution of the Taiwan society. What I need to do is to awaken the resolution.

 

[Han Patriot]

Working for a KMT victory in 2020. As DPP goes radical, KMT goes to the roots of its existence, which is unification. Incredible, likely KMT chair is talking about a step-by-step approach to unification under a One Country, Two Systems model.

@AndrewJin , @Han Patriot , @+4vsgorillas-Apebane , @Chinese-Dragon , @Daniel808 , @long_ , @Raphael

***

Chang Ya-chung aims to lead KMT toward ending cross-Straits hostility, prepare for unification

Source:Global Times Published: 2019/1/8

Chang Ya-chung Photo: VCG


Editor's Note:

The public is guessing which Kuomintang (KMT) Party members are going to bid to head the party ahead of the elections for the leader of Taiwan in 2020.

Chang Ya-chung, known as an academician, surprised the public by announcing his candidacy on a political TV program on January 4.

Chang said he "could not bear to see Taiwan keep falling," so he decided to run to be the KMT candidate in 2020.

Chang told the Global Times on January 5 that he will begin with political arrangements to lead to unification which is "how to end hostility."

GT: Why did you decide to run the leadership election?

Chang: The decision was made as early as Hung Hsiu-chu, former KMT chairman, failed to take part in the leadership election. I decided to work on the basis of her efforts. Now that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) insists on "Taiwan independence," and some people in the blue camp (KMT supporters) are also taking this route, I cannot bear to see Taiwan keep falling.

I have thought clearly about cross-Straits relations at my age, 40. I've been doing one thing over the past two decades, which is fighting against so-called "Taiwan independence." There should be peace and development instead of war between the two sides of the Straits.

GT: Can we have some of your politics?

Chang: I understand that the mainland's "One country, two systems" for Taiwan is a political arrangement after peaceful unification, and I will start with the political arrangements to lead to unification or "how to end hostilities." The next step is to promote the two sides to move toward integration. Peaceful unification can be achieved on the basis of these two steps.

The process won't take too long, because we Chinese people are wise and able. The two sides see close civil and economic interactions despite the current hostile status. Once the hostility ends, and Taiwan refuses to be a chess piece of the US, the two sides will integrate after three decades.

Once the barrier is removed, how can politicians cut the blood relationship that has lasted for 5,000 years?

Taiwan residents queue to vote in local elections in November 2018. Photo: VCG


GT: Is there any similarity between your politics and the "Once country, two systems" proposed at a gathering to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan? How do you comment about the Tsai administration's response?

Chang: "One country, two systems" is an innovative proposal and worth deliberation. However, the DPP maliciously misinforms the people, criticizing the proposal indiscriminately. Some people in the blue camp dare not to give an active response to the proposal for fear of the US.

Tsai has a rather low support rate currently, there is no way for her to abandon "Taiwan independence."

GT: You said that for both the blue camp and green camp, it is hard to get rid of the influence of the US once taking power. Will you be an exception if you win the election?



Chang: I will definitely be an exception. Taiwan can maintain peace with the mainland while keeping a good relationship with the US. However, it doesn't mean that Taiwan has to be a card played by the US.

Shaking off control of the US needs cooperation from the mainland.

The US will surely not be happy to see the signing of a cross-Straits peace agreement. However, it depends on the will of the both sides, and it depends on how the Taiwan leader persuades the people. If I become the leader, I am able to and will make efforts to realize it.

GT: Do you think you will be a "dark horse" even though the outside world holds a negative opinion?

Chang: I believe I will be a "dark horse." Quite a few people think that I am nothing but a professor without political experience. The fact is that I have been participating in work involving elections since 1996. I drafted policies for Mr. Chen Li-an in the 1990s when Taiwan had its first direct leader election. After 2000, I organized and participated in a series of social movements and established an association to promote cross-Straits peace and integration.

I know about the mainland as well as Taiwan, and I have knowledge on international law and politics. In the meantime, I am willing to make excellent plans, becoming a good communicator across the Straits. I am not merely an academician, I am a practitioner of social affairs.

Honestly, it does not completely depend on me to win the election, but on the resolution of the Taiwan society. What I need to do is to awaken the resolution.

Now KMT seems to be openly supporting unification, previously it was the ambiguous 92 concensus. They are not afraid to wave the unification banner anymore!

 

[TaiShang]

Mainland-Taiwan trade has reached over 200 billion USD last year. Let's make it 250 billion this year

***

Direct sea freight route links Kaohsiung with Pingtan

Xinhua, January 20, 2019

A freighter is loaded with goods at a port in Kaohsiung, southeast China's Taiwan, Jan. 19, 2019. A direct sea freight route opened Saturday between Taiwan's Kaohsiung and Pingtan in Fujian Province, drastically shortening the time of farm produce from the island entering the mainland market. The 178-nautical mile journey between the two cities will be shortened from two or three days to just nine hours after the opening of the new route.[Photo/Xinhua]

A direct sea freight route opened Saturday between Taiwan's Kaohsiung and Pingtan in Fujian Province, drastically shortening the time of farm produce from the island entering the mainland market.

A freighter, operated by Taiwan trade shipping agency Wagon, departed from a port in Kaohsiung for Pingtan on Saturday afternoon.

The 178-nautical mile journey between the two cities will be shortened from two or three days to just nine hours after the opening of the new route.

Photo taken on Jan. 19, 2019 shows a freighter at a port in Kaohsiung, southeast China's Taiwan. A direct sea freight route opened Saturday between Taiwan's Kaohsiung and Pingtan in Fujian Province, drastically shortening the time of farm produce from the island entering the mainland market. The 178-nautical mile journey between the two cities will be shortened from two or three days to just nine hours after the opening of the new route. [Photo/Xinhua]

The freighter was loaded with over 700 tonnes of fruit, vegetables and liquid crystal display panels, worth over 15 million yuan (2.2 million U.S. dollars).

All the items were purchased by trade enterprises from Pingtan.

Han Kuo-yu, mayor of Kaohsiung, said that he expected more high-quality products manufactured in Kaohsiung, including farm produce, to be shipped to the mainland market.

http://www.china.org.cn/china/2019-01/20/content_74390994.htm

@AndrewJin , @cirr , @Han Patriot

 

[Han Patriot]

Mainland-Taiwan trade has reached over 200 billion USD last year. Let's make it 250 billion this year

***

Direct sea freight route links Kaohsiung with Pingtan

Xinhua, January 20, 2019

A freighter is loaded with goods at a port in Kaohsiung, southeast China's Taiwan, Jan. 19, 2019. A direct sea freight route opened Saturday between Taiwan's Kaohsiung and Pingtan in Fujian Province, drastically shortening the time of farm produce from the island entering the mainland market. The 178-nautical mile journey between the two cities will be shortened from two or three days to just nine hours after the opening of the new route.[Photo/Xinhua]

A direct sea freight route opened Saturday between Taiwan's Kaohsiung and Pingtan in Fujian Province, drastically shortening the time of farm produce from the island entering the mainland market.

A freighter, operated by Taiwan trade shipping agency Wagon, departed from a port in Kaohsiung for Pingtan on Saturday afternoon.

The 178-nautical mile journey between the two cities will be shortened from two or three days to just nine hours after the opening of the new route.

Photo taken on Jan. 19, 2019 shows a freighter at a port in Kaohsiung, southeast China's Taiwan. A direct sea freight route opened Saturday between Taiwan's Kaohsiung and Pingtan in Fujian Province, drastically shortening the time of farm produce from the island entering the mainland market. The 178-nautical mile journey between the two cities will be shortened from two or three days to just nine hours after the opening of the new route. [Photo/Xinhua]

The freighter was loaded with over 700 tonnes of fruit, vegetables and liquid crystal display panels, worth over 15 million yuan (2.2 million U.S. dollars).

All the items were purchased by trade enterprises from Pingtan.

Han Kuo-yu, mayor of Kaohsiung, said that he expected more high-quality products manufactured in Kaohsiung, including farm produce, to be shipped to the mainland market.

http://www.china.org.cn/china/2019-01/20/content_74390994.htm

@AndrewJin , @cirr , @Han Patriot

When we are United, we can be even stronger. Our ancestors taught us that chopsticks however weak when in enough numbers can be stronger than steel.

 

[TaiShang]

When we are United, we can be even stronger. Our ancestors taught us that chopsticks however weak when in enough numbers can be stronger than steel.

Indeed.

There is a huge optimism and upbeat expectations for future.

It is not just economics, but also deeper ties from thousands of years of common history.

Currently enjoying the song sang by 苏打绿的吴青峰 in 歌手。