At an event in Beijing on Tuesday commemorating Zheng Chenggong, a national hero who expelled Dutch colonists from Taiwan in 1662 and recovered the island, participants from both sides of the Taiwan Strait said the history strongly confirms that Taiwan is a part of China and provides significant meaning for advancing the complete reunification of the country.

Over 200 participants from both sides paid tribute to Zheng on the 400th anniversary of his birth. Zheng was highly respected in Taiwan, as he promoted education, agriculture and maritime trade on the island, significantly accelerating Taiwan's progress. His efforts facilitated the flourishing of Chinese culture in Taiwan, particularly fostering closer ties between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland.

Su Hui, a vice-chairwoman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body, said it was a glorious historical lesson for all Chinese to resist external aggression and build their homeland.

She said that Zheng's patriotic actions were a shared historical memory to unite both sides in defending the country's reunification and opposing "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external interference.

Wu Jung-yuan, chairman of Taiwan's Labor Party, said Zheng's recovery of Taiwan demonstrated the historical fact that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one country, and his cultural legacy in Taiwan highlights the fact that both sides belong to the Chinese nation.

"Zheng's legacy provides significant meaning for advancing the complete reunification of the country, opposing separatism, and upholding the legitimacy and legality of territorial sovereignty integrity," he said.

Huang Chi-jung, who frequently worships at temples dedicated to Zheng in Taiwan, said: "In the eyes of Taiwan people, he is seen as a god protecting Taiwan's territory because he drove out the Dutch in a short period, demonstrating his courage and strategy. This historical episode teaches us the importance of unity and not succumbing to division, ensuring that countries around the world cannot invade us through this maritime territory."

Lin Wun-hau, a member of Taiwan's New Party, said, "Zheng is regarded as a national hero on both sides of the Strait, especially symbolizing patriotic sentiment."

Through a shared review of history, it is crucial for both sides to strive for consensus, he said.

The opening ceremony also included a book launch, the screening of a documentary on Zheng and the unveiling of commemorative postal items marking the anniversary.

Li Ren contributed to this story.