Vice-Premier Wang Yang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, speaks at an annual meeting of central and local officials in charge of Taiwan affairs, in Beijing. The meeting was held here from Thursday to Friday. [Photo/Xinhua] BEIJING - A senior Chinese official stressed that studying and implementing the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and General Secretary Xi Jinping's important thought on Taiwan affairs will be a primary political task at present and for years to come. Vice Premier Wang Yang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at an annual meeting of central and local officials in charge of Taiwan affairs, which was held in Beijing from Thursday to Friday. The thought on Taiwan affairs is an important part of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and serves as a basic principle and guide to action for the work on Taiwan affairs in the new era, Wang said. He urged efforts to uphold Xi thought on Taiwan affairs for the long term and make new accomplishments in the new era. The work on Taiwan affairs has withstood major tests and witnessed important progress while ensuring stability, Wang said. He also stressed improving economic and cultural cooperation and deepening the integration of economic and social development across the Taiwan Strait. While noting situation across the Strait at present becomes more complicated and grim, and will remain so for some time to come, Wang said the work on Taiwan affairs face challenges. The Chinese mainland will uphold the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus and resolutely oppose and deter separatist elements advocating 'Taiwan independence' in any form, he said. More policies will be adopted to help Taiwanese compatriots in studying, starting businesses, working and living in the mainland and to help them enjoy the same treatment as local people. We should remain true to our original aspiration, keep our mission firmly in mind, and fully implement the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, Wang said. He called for promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and making new contribution to advancing the process toward the peaceful reunification of China. Wang stressed the importance of upholding centralized and unified leadership of the CPC in handling Taiwan-related affairs, exercising strict Party governance, improving conduct and building integrity in building a high-quality workforce responsible for Taiwan-related affairs. The meeting was presided over by State Councilor Yang Jiechi. Zhang Zhijun, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, delivered a work report at the meeting. custom medical braceletscancer wristbandsbracelet montre silicone 14mmembossed printed wristbandcustom rubber bracelets
A file photo of the People's Liberation Army Navy honor guard. [Photo/VCG] More than 60 countries will send naval delegations to participate in the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army Navy in late April, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday. The celebration will showcase the progress of the PLA Navy and its growing capability in safeguarding China's overseas interests as well as regional and world peace, an expert said. The multinational naval event will take place in Qingdao, Shandong province, in late April, said ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Wu Qian. April 23 is the 70th anniversary of the PLA Navy's founding. The naval event will include high-level dialogues, an international fleet review, military band performances, cultural and sports exchanges as well as other activities, Wu said. Some nations will send military ships to participate in the fleet review, though details are still in the works and will be announced at a later date, he added. Senior Colonel Zhou Bo, director of the Center for Security Cooperation at the ministry's Office for International Military Cooperation, said that compared with other branches of the military, the PLA Navy plays a relatively larger role in protecting China's overseas interests and maintaining security in key sea lanes such as the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia. The PLA Navy is at the forefront of proving that the Chinese military is an open, cooperative and competent force for peace, he said, adding that the PLA Navy has frequently participated in humanitarian rescue missions, naval escorts, joint exercises and exchanges in past years. Through these non-war military operations, the Chinese Navy has also improved its capability and operability in distant waters, Zhou said. Many security issues around the world require global efforts, and as its capability improves, the PLA Navy can play a bigger part and contribute more to global maritime security. When asked about the United States' recent rhetoric about China threats and US military actions near the Taiwan Straits and the South China Sea, Wu said that Sino-US military relations are generally stable, but he asked the US to work with China to conduct practical cooperation, properly manage differences, and allow military-to-military relations to become stabilizing factors for bilateral ties. On Sunday, the US sent the Navy's guided-missile destroyer Curtis Wilbur and Coast Guard's cutter Bertholf through the Taiwan Straits. On March 13, two US B-52H bombers flew near Chinese islands in the South China Sea for the second time this month. Wu said China resolutely opposes the provocative actions by the US warplanes, and will continue to take necessary actions to safeguard national security. The facts have shown that the US is the one militarizing the South China Sea, he said. Regarding the US military's recent interactions with its Taiwan counterpart, Wu said China resolutely opposes any military interaction between the two sides, whether it involves arms sales to Taiwan or official military exchanges. The Taiwan question is a domestic matter for China, and it is related to China's core interests and the feelings of the Chinese people. It cannot be interfered with by outside forces, Wu said, adding that the one-China policy is a recognized consensus in international relations, and the political basis for Sino-US relations. Any attempt to undermine this principle is no different than trying to shake the foundation of Sino-US ties. This does not fit with the basic interests of either nation, and it is very dangerous, he said.
