In implementing the overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, it requires to resolutely launch major fights against separatism while promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Sunday. 

Although Li's Government Work Report adopted slightly different wording compared with the one released last year, experts said the Party's policy for solving the Taiwan question remains the same, and the signal from government work report offers the island of Taiwan an opportunity to meet the mainland halfway toward a peaceful reunification. However, this signal should not be interpreted as the mainland abandoning other options, said experts.

China has made fresh progress in its work related to Hong Kong and Macao SARs and the Taiwan region over the past five years, Li said when delivering the report on behalf of the State Council at the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress on Sunday morning.

We should implement our Party's overall policy for the new era on resolving the Taiwan question, adhere to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, and take resolute steps to oppose "Taiwan independence" and promote reunification. We should promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and advance the process of China's peaceful reunification, Li said in the work report.

As we Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Straits are one family bound by blood, we should advance economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Straits and improve the systems and policies that contribute to the well-being of our Taiwan compatriots. We should encourage people on both sides of the Straits to jointly promote Chinese culture and advance China's rejuvenation, Li noted.

Wide applause rang out in the conference hall after Li made the remarks about Taiwan question.

In the government work report delivered in 2022, Li said that "we firmly oppose any separatist activities seeking 'Taiwan independence' and firmly oppose foreign interference."

Experts told the Global Times said that this year's work on solving the Taiwan question will likely still focus on promoting exchanges, and stick to peaceful reunification, as the government work report emphasizes policies that contribute to the well-being of our Taiwan compatriots. 

Chen Yunying, a deputy to the 14th NPC from the island of Taiwan, told the Global Times that young people in Taiwan are the indispensable force of peaceful reunification. She submitted a motion this year calling to invite young people from Taiwan to visit the Chinese mainland, and to feel the family ties that are bound by blood.