One-China principle reiterated after speech

In a response to a speech by Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday, Beijing reiterated that recognition of the one-China principle is essential to good cross-Straits relations.[Special coverage]

"The one-China principle is the political foundation of cross-Straits relations. The 1992 Consensus embodies the one-China principle and defines the fundamental nature of cross-Straits relations. It thus holds the key to the peaceful development of relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits," Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Thursday.

"We are open to communicate, with the same criteria, with any political party on the island."

Ma added: "Recognize the historical fact of the 1992 Consensus and that the two sides both belong to one China, and then our two sides can conduct dialogue to address the concerns of the people of both sides, and no political party or group in Taiwan will have any difficulty conducting exchanges with the mainland."

"Only returning to recognition of the common political foundation－the 1992 Consensus－can dispel the clouds and offer new prospects for the development of cross-Straits relations," he said.

Tsai delivered a speech on Thursday morning at a forum to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the resumption of exchanges between the mainland and Taiwan.

In the speech, Tsai reiterated the stance she took when she assumed office in May 2016. She was then accused by Beijing of being ambiguous about the one-China principle.

Tsai's failure to explicitly recognize the 1992 Consensus has led to the suspension of official communication channels between the parties since June 2016.

Tsai said on Thursday that with the completion of the 19th CPC National Congress on Tuesday, the Communist Party of China had entered a new era and is at a turning point for change.

In the report he delivered at the opening session of the congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that the one-China principle is the political foundation of cross-Straits relations.

"We stand firm in safeguarding China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.… We will never allow anyone, any organization, or any political party, at any time or in any form, to separate any part of Chinese territory from China," he said.