Important Expositions of "Four Firmlys": A New Guideline for Advancing Cross-Strait Relations

The article, titled “Important Expositions of Four Firmlys: A New Guideline for Advancing Cross-Strait Relations,” authored by WANG Yingjin, Director and Professor of the Cross-Strait Relations Research Center at Renmin University of China, published in People's Daily.

The article introduces the “Four Firmlys” framework put forward by President Xi Jinping during his meeting with Ma Ying-jeou, emphasizing its significance that it has profound implications and comprehensively and systematically clarifies the basic principles, policies and propositions for Taiwan’s work in the new era. These are:

Firmly protect the common home of the Chinese nation

Firmly work together for the long-term well-being of the Chinese nation

Firmly build a sense of community for the Chinese nation

Firmly realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation

Centered around the core concept of “compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to the same Chinese nation,” the framework elucidates perspectives from national sovereignty, benefiting compatriots on both sides, fostering a sense of community, and realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The article notes that the “Four Firmlys” framework represents the latest expression of the Chinese mainland’s policy towards Taiwan in the current situation in the Taiwan Strait, embodying both the importance of policy declaration and the spirit of seeking common ground while reserving differences and unifying principles with flexibility.

Additionally, the article underscores the importance of the “Four Firmlys” framework in cultivating new forces for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, particularly emphasizing the role and encouragement of youth. Finally, the article concludes that the “Four Firmlys” framework injects stability and positive energy into the current situation in the Taiwan Strait and provides guidance for the development of cross-strait relations.

Key points as follows,

The important expositions of the 'four firmlys' each have their own emphasis, complement each other, and together constitute the mainland's basic policy proposition for promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations under the new situation. Overall, the important exposition of the 'four firmlys' represent the latest elaboration of the mainland's Taiwan policy amid the current complex and severe situation in the Taiwan Strait. Therefore, it holds significant theoretical and practical significance for advancing cross-strait relations. Specifically, it manifests in the following five aspects.

· First, the important exposition of the 'four firmlys' is an significant declaration of mainland's Taiwan policy under the new situation. The concept that 'compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the same Chinese nation' has rich and profound implications and is widely recognized on the island of Taiwan. It will contribute to breaking the current cross-Strait deadlock, restore and expand cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, and promote the development of cross-Strait relations. Therefore, highlighting and emphasizing that 'compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the same Chinese nation' is another example of the clear expression of the mainland's goodwill and sincerity.

· Second, the important exposition of the 'four firmlys' embodies the spirit of seeking common ground while reserving differences, and focussing on building on commonalities and respecting diversity. Currently, the majority of Taiwanese people agree that 'compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the same Chinese nation.' Therefore, the important exposition of the 'four firmlys' is based on the political basis of adhering to the one-China principle and the '1992 Consensus', focussing on leveraging cultural concepts such as 'Chinese nation', 'Chinese culture' and 'Chinese civilization', which are rich in affinity and persuasiveness. This approach should help gain recognition from the people of Taiwan province, thereby aiding in garnering support and uniting more Taiwan compatriots to participate in cross-strait exchanges and cooperation. The narrative is being expressed using language and expressions that are easily accepted by the people of Taiwan province, achieving good results. This is the outcome of pragmatic decision-making and wise choices from the mainland.

· Third, the general tone of the important exposition of the 'four firmlys' is to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. This important exposition, conveyed with heartfelt and easily understandable language, conveys to the people of Taiwan Province the sincerity of the mainland in promoting cross-strait exchanges and cooperation. It also shows that the mainland will continue to adhere to the principles and policies of promoting the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and creating more benefits for the well-being of Taiwan province compatriots. This is not only a full affirmation of Ma Ying-jeou's trip, but also a powerful counterattack against the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces and external interference forces that are provoking troubles and undermining the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Going ahead, the mainland will continue to uphold the concept of 'one family on both sides of the Taiwan Strait' and, with the utmost goodwill and sincerity, strive to enhance the recognition of the consciousness of a community with a shared future and a common home for compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, promote the spiritual harmony of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and work together for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

· Fourth, the significant exposition of the 'four firmlys' reflects the unity of principles and flexibility in the mainland's Taiwan policy. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in his speech, 'The key to promoting peaceful development of cross-strait relations is to adhere to the ‘1992 Consensus’, which embodies the one-China principle. At its core is a common understanding of the basic fact that both sides of the strait belong to one country and one nation.' The important exposition of the 'four firmlys' indicates that the mainland's position, policies, and determination to firmly defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity remain unchanged. It upholds both the firmness of the one-China principle and the '1992 Consensus' and the strategic flexibility required to promote the development of cross-strait relations under the new circumstances.

· Fifth, the important exposition of the 'four firmlys' focuses on cultivating new forces for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Youth are the hope and future of both sides across the Taiwan Strait, and are the beneficiaries of the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. They are also an important force in developing cross-Strait relations, promoting the peaceful reunification of the motherland, and realizing the great rejuvenation of the nation. General Secretary Xi Jinping has always attached great importance to youth work on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. In his important speech at the 40th anniversary commemoration meeting of the 'Letter to Compatriots in Taiwan', he pointed out: 'the young are the hope of the country and the future of the nation. Young people on both sides should shoulder responsibility, forge solidarity and friendship, and work together for a better future.' In this meeting, General Secretary Xi Jinping once again emphasized the important role of the youth in the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, encouraging 'young people from both sides of the Strait to aspire to become more proud, confident, and assured in their identity as Chinese people, work together for the long-term prosperity of the Chinese nation, and continue to create new glory of the nation'. The mainland will continue to advocate and promote cross-Strait youth exchanges and create more favorable conditions for cross-Strait youth to learn from each other.”

The important exposition of 'four firmlys' not only proposes breaking the deadlock and promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations from a strategic perspective, but also puts forward ideas for promoting it at a practical level. This has injected stability and positive energy into the current complex and severe situation in the Taiwan Strait, and also pointed out the direction for the development of cross-Strait relations at present and in the future.

(Translated by ZHANG Yuqing; Proofread by YANG Fanxin)