Taiwan compatriots hail closer links with the mainland

Chen Ching-lung, a hostel operator in Xiamen, said Xi's speech charted the course for future cross-Straits relations.

"The direction of peaceful development is totally correct," he said. "What the two sides should do is to mitigate their differences and improve communications."

On Jan 1, 1979, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress issued the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan, calling for peaceful reunification of the mainland and the island.

Forty years later, both sides have seen the peaceful and stable development of cross-Straits relations.

From 1988 to last year, 134 million cross-Straits visits were logged, and two-way trade reached $2.6 trillion. The mainland is also Taiwan's largest market and top investment destination.

In February last year, the mainland unveiled 31 measures related to exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan, granting enterprises on the island equal treatment as their mainland counterparts, and offering Taiwan compatriots equality in terms of education, setting up businesses and working and living in the mainland.

Despite a decadeslong stand-off, including an artillery duel that extended over 20 years, people in Taiwan now see the mainland as an opportunity more than a threat.

Fujian has attracted 19,000 young people from Taiwan to work, undertake internships or start businesses. By the end of October, 325 doctors from Taiwan had registered as certified medical practitioners in the province. Meanwhile, more than 200 Taiwan residents work as teachers in colleges and universities in Fujian.

Eight village heads from Taiwan have been invited to manage daily affairs of villages and communities in Pingtan, a pilot zone for cross-Straits cooperation in the province, and in Xiamen, 66 Taiwan residents work as assistants to community directors.

Xiamen Air, a carrier in Xiamen, has recruited 184 flight attendants from Taiwan.

There are 120,000 Taiwan residents living in Xiamen, and 5,000 have applied for resident permits issued by the mainland.

The permits enable residents of Taiwan to enjoy public services and other conveniences similar to those of mainlanders. They include employment subsidies, access to social security and the housing provident fund, as well as benefits in terms of compulsory education, health and medical services.