NPC Deputies
Taiwan deputy: Youth are an indispensable force for peaceful reunification
People on the mainland care about Taiwan and are trying to identify the best solution for peaceful reunification
By Tao Xing  ·  2023-03-05  ·   Source: Web Exclusive

  

Chen Yunying, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress and Vice President of the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, during an interview in Beijing on March 4 (COURTESY PHOTO)     

Chen Yunying, a deputy to the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), the country's highest state organ of power, highlighted the power of youth as part of China's peaceful reunification, ahead of the opening of the annual NPC full session. 

"The hope of a country lies in its youth," Chen said, adding that many of Taiwan's young adults now pursue their studies, start businesses, seek jobs, or settle down on the mainland, which is strengthening understanding and trust between between people on both sides. 

Chen made the remarks on March 4 while participating in a group interview organized by the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots (ACFTC), an organization that aims to promote cross-Straits relations by reaching out to people from Taiwan living on the mainland as well as Taiwan residents.  

Chen, born in Taipei in 1953, is vice president of the ACFTC and a former research fellow with the National Institute of Education Sciences. Her husband is the renowned economist Justin Yifu Lin, who served as chief economist and senior vice president of the World Bank from 2008 to 2012. Lin currently heads the Institute of New Structural Economics, Peking University.   

The Taiwan delegation of the 14th NPC consists of 13 deputies including Chen, most of whom were born on the mainland but have ancestral roots tracing back to the island.  

Taiwan has always been part of China's territory. When the People’s Republic of China was founded in 1949, the Kuomintang regime, defeated in the War of Liberation, retreated to the island, which lies off the southeast coast of the mainland, creating the division between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits. 

Under the One Country, Two Systems principle, Taiwan will retain its own social and economic systems on the premise that there is only one China after peaceful reunification is realized.  

Chen believes this principle will promote the integrated development of the mainland and Taiwan for the benefit of both. However, the provocative actions by "Taiwan independence" separatists, designed to split the country, have misled some people in Taiwan. Chen hopes to see increased exchange in the coming years to strengthen mutual trust. 

People on the mainland care about Taiwan and are trying to identify the best solution for peaceful reunification, Chen said. She hopes that people in Taiwan will become increasingly aware that Taiwan has the strong support of the mainland.  

Chen has been a deputy to the NPC, which has five-year terms, since 2003. "The NPC values our suggestions," Chen said. This year, her suggestions cover cross-Straits transportation, education and training, and common prosperity.  

The First Session of the 14th NPC is taking place in Beijing on March 5-13. Its agenda items include reviewing the government work report, deliberating on a draft amendment to the Legislation Law--which regulates the legislative process--and a plan on the reform of State Council institutions. Deputies will also elect and decide on members of state institutions.  

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson  

Comments to taoxing@cicgamericas.com  

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