In this undated photo, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, takes questions at a news briefing in Beijing, China. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING – The 1992 Consensus remains the anchor for improving and developing relations across the Taiwan Straits, no matter how cross-straits ties change over time, a Chinese mainland spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks at a regular press conference while responding to a query about recent events held by the mainland to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1992 Consensus.

The development of cross-straits relations has repeatedly proved that the 1992 Consensus has been irreplaceable for the mainland and Taiwan in establishing mutual trust, engaging in dialogue and consultation, and improving the wellbeing of compatriots on both sides, she said.

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The historical significance of the 1992 Consensus lies in the fact that it provides the political foundation for the development of cross-straits relations

Zhu Fenglian, Spokesperson, State Council Taiwan Affairs Office

The essence of the 1992 Consensus is that "both sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to one China and will work together toward national reunification." The historical significance of the 1992 Consensus lies in the fact that it provides the political foundation for the development of cross-straits relations, Zhu said.

Urging the Taiwan compatriots to cherish and uphold the 1992 Consensus, she called on them to oppose and resist separatist activities seeking "Taiwan independence," and join hands with mainland compatriots to realize national rejuvenation.

Cross-straits exchanges

Underscoring that people-to-people interactions serve as an internal impetus driving the development of cross-straits relations, Zhu assured that more support will be provided to encourage cross-straits exchanges and enhance mutual trust between people on both sides.

Although mutual travel and visits across the strait have yet to return to normal due to COVID-19 and obstruction by Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities, exchange activities online and offline this summer have attracted wide participation among people on both sides, particularly the youth, she said.

Summer internship programs offered by the mainland have gained popularity among students from Taiwan, the spokesperson said.

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In Jiangsu province alone, over 200 enterprises and public institutions provided 739 internship positions covering science and technology, finance, medical services, and news media.

In Hubei province, the provincial high people's court offered two-month internship opportunities to Taiwan students studying in universities on the mainland.

Development of cross-straits ties

Over the past decade, Taiwan businesspeople and enterprises have been beneficiaries, staunch supporters and strong promoters of the peaceful development of cross-straits relations, said Zhu said while talking about a symposium held earlier this month on the development of Taiwan enterprises on the mainland over the past 10 years.

More opportunities will be provided for Taiwan compatriots in the future, she said, expressing her hope that Taiwan businesspeople will resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" and external interference, and participate in the just cause of promoting the peaceful development of cross-straits relations and the peaceful reunification of the motherland.

A Jiangxi-Taiwan trade conference will be held in Shangrao, east China's Jiangxi province, from Sept 16 to 18, and a cross-straits forum on technology development will be held simultaneously in Beijing and Taipei both online and offline from Sept 19 to 20, she added.