Claims by the head of the Chinese Taipei representative office (Letters, 9 March) that Taiwan is “a separate territory” and that the Chinese mainland “makes progress in cross-strait relations more difficult” are inconsistent with the facts.

There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. This is the universal consensus of the international community. Moves by a few separatist forces can neither change this fact, block the development of relations across the Taiwan strait, nor reverse the course of peaceful reunification of China.

People on both sides of the Taiwan strait are brothers and sisters of one big family. The peaceful development of cross-strait relations is their common aspiration and an irresistible trend. The development of the Chinese mainland is bringing increasing opportunities to the Taiwan compatriots.

In the spirit of “one big family”, the Chinese mainland has in recent years adopted a series of policies and measures to promote cross-strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, sharing opportunities arising from its development with Taiwan compatriots.

In the latest such effort on equal treatment, the mainland released 31 measures on 28 February 2018, including 12 involving Taiwanese enterprises operating in the mainland and 19 involving Taiwan compatriots studying, setting up businesses, working and living in the mainland. Such policies and measures have been applauded and welcomed by people on both sides of the Taiwan strait., particularly the people in Taiwan.

Zeng Rong

Spokesperson, Chinese embassy in the UK

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