Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, met KMT Honorary Chairman Lien Chan and the delegation from Taiwan on February 18, 2014 in Beijing. Xi made important remarks on promoting the cross-Straits relationship and its peaceful development. The meeting has received plaudits on both sides of the Taiwan Straits in the days following. Xi's remarks were full of strong affections, reflecting an understanding of and care towards his Taiwanese compatriots.

Zhu Weidong, Deputy Director of the Taiwan Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that while making the remarks, Xi was really considering and dealing with the Taiwan question from the perspective of parties on "both sides of the Straits being of the same family." Xi expressed the mainland's willingness, patience and confidence for the reunification of China in very positive terms. For example, on the basis of strengthening the 1992 Consensus and opposing Taiwan Independence, Xi further stressed the necessity to "deepen the common understanding of safeguarding the framework of one China." These three points are likened to being "the anchor of cross-Straits relations" in Xi's remarks. This is a vivid comparison, highlighting the importance of the aforementioned three points to the prospect of the further development of cross-Straits relations.

Liu Guoshen, Director of the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, said that the crux of Xi's remarks "centered on the people," which was a good choice. Xi even displayed tolerance towards some green camp people in Taiwan, believing that no matter what beliefs they may have formerly held, as long as they are willing to join in the efforts to promote cross-Straits relations as well as peace and development, everything will be okay. This displays a very tolerant attitude. In general, the purpose is to offer a better life for all Chinese people.

Xu Xiaoxi, Deputy Director of China Youth Entrepreneurs Association, said Xi proposed in his remarks that our compatriots across the Straits are of the same roots, blood, history and culture. Young people across the Straits should try to strengthen ties based on a shared past, common ancestry and a mutually held admiration for modern culture. He suggested that young people on both sides of the Straits should try to strengthen the sentimental bonds between them and jointly inherit the excellent culture of the Chinese nation.

Yok Mu-ming, Chairman of Taiwan's New Party, said that Xi laid a clear outline for the routes and direction of how to develop cross-Straits relations in his remarks. Particularly, he mentioned the speech's notes of affection and sincere sentiments, both of which are preconditions for patience and confidence.

Yok reiterated that only by "viewing both sides of the Straits as one family, sticking to the one China framework, and 1992 consensus," and opposing Taiwan independence, can the two parties expect to see positive results. Otherwise, the situation may regress and our compatriots in Taiwan will never be able to fully enjoy the prosperity this union will undoubtedly bring.

Zhang Wuyue, Director of the Chinese Mainland Research Institute of Tamkang University, believes that Xi's remarks are a comprehensive and complete explanation of cross-Straits relations under present circumstances. He said it would exert a very positive impact on the further development of cross-Straits relations and help to further consolidate and deepen the cross-Straits relationship.

Wu Rongyuan, convener of the Cross-Straits Peaceful Development Forum, said that Xi's remarks are fraught with care and deep sentimental bonds to his Taiwanese brethren. Our compatriots in Taiwan should continue to commit to patriotism as always and to strengthen the foundation for economic, cultural and social communication. The sentiment that "both sides of the Straits are of one family" will help to strengthen the realization that we and our compatriots across the Straits are all Chinese and thus share the same fate. Particularly, the public of Taiwan should combine social reforms and household construction, aiming to pursue social prosperity and happiness within the framework of the Chinese dream.