Policy is to consolidate ties with Taiwan

Xi's latest remarks on cross-Straits affairs has made it clear that only by acknowledging the 1992 Consensus and accepting its core contents will the two sides share the political common ground as well as peaceful development.

Indeed, both sides have some differences on the elaboration of the "one-China principle", based on which the 1992 Consensus was agreed upon. The key concept, in fact, could serve as the political foundation of both sides and a permanent booster for frequent exchanges, even under different names, as long as the historical role of the 1992 Consensus (not the "1992 Talks") and its core contents are acknowledged－the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China.

In this sense, as Xi implied in his overture, the mainland wants those politicians and parties on the island that are yet to fully acknowledge the 1992 Consensus to take a step forward in improving the livelihoods of compatriots on both sides and strengthening stability across the Straits.

Xi also said the mainland will further promote cross-Straits cooperation and exchanges in all fields, deepen economic and social integration, and enhance the sense of a community of common destiny. Such remarks are a clear message that the mainland is willing to promote cross-Straits ties for the sake of compatriots across the Straits who "should not be let down".

Hopefully, the island's incoming leader will get the gist of the mainland's goodwill gesture, and refrain from hurting the cross-Straits relationship.

The author is director of the Institute of Cross-Straits Relations at Beijing Union University.