New Year message outlines continuity in Taiwan policy

The Chinese mainland will continue promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations while advancing national reunification, according to a New Year message delivered by a senior official responsible for Taiwan affairs. The statement signals policy continuity as Beijing enters 2026, reaffirming long standing principles while highlighting recent progress in people to people exchanges and economic integration across the Taiwan Strait.

The message was delivered by Song Tao, who heads both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. It was addressed to Taiwan compatriots and published in the first 2026 issue of the magazine Relations Across Taiwan Strait, a platform often used to communicate official positions on cross-Strait ties.

Emphasis on established political principles

Song said the mainland will implement the Party’s overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era. Central to this approach are adherence to the one China principle and the 1992 Consensus, which Beijing views as the political foundation for dialogue and engagement across the Strait.

He stressed that the mainland remains willing to engage in dialogue and consultation with political parties, groups, and individuals in Taiwan who support these principles. According to the message, such dialogue is aimed at advancing peaceful development and creating conditions for national reunification.

At the same time, Song made clear that while the mainland would pursue peaceful reunification with sincerity and effort, it would not tolerate any form of Taiwan independence separatist activity.

Progress highlighted despite challenges

Reflecting on developments in 2025, Song said cross-Strait relations moved forward despite difficulties. He pointed to what he described as growing momentum and accumulated strength toward reunification, even as tensions and external interference persisted.

One area of progress highlighted was increased facilitation for Taiwan residents travelling to the mainland. According to the message, the number of young people and first time visitors from Taiwan rose significantly, suggesting renewed interest in exchanges and direct experience of mainland society.

These trends were presented as evidence that people to people ties continue to deepen, even when political relations face strain.

Integrated development and equal treatment

Song also emphasised efforts to advance high quality development of the demonstration zone for cross-Strait integrated development. This initiative is designed to create closer economic, social, and institutional links between the mainland and Taiwan, particularly in regions positioned as platforms for cooperation.

He noted that policies ensuring equal treatment for Taiwan residents and enterprises on the mainland have been further implemented. These measures are intended to provide Taiwan businesses and individuals with the same rights and opportunities as their mainland counterparts in areas such as employment, education, and investment.

The official framed these steps as practical expressions of goodwill and integration rather than symbolic gestures.

Sovereignty and red lines reaffirmed

Alongside calls for engagement, Song reiterated Beijing’s firm stance on sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said the mainland had resolutely defended these principles throughout 2025 and would continue to do so.

This dual emphasis on openness to dialogue and firmness on core interests reflects Beijing’s long stated approach to Taiwan. Peaceful development is presented as the preferred path, but one bounded by clear political red lines.

The message underscored that opposition to secessionism remains a shared responsibility for people on both sides of the Strait.

Call for shared historical responsibility

In closing, Song called on people across the Taiwan Strait to recognise their historical responsibilities and work together toward national reunification. He urged unity in opposing separatism and contributing to what he described as the nation’s long term interests.

The appeal framed reunification not only as a political objective, but as a generational task requiring patience, cooperation, and mutual understanding.

Signals for the year ahead

The New Year message offers insight into how Beijing intends to approach cross-Strait relations in 2026. Rather than announcing new initiatives, it reinforces existing frameworks and highlights incremental progress in integration and exchanges.

For observers, the message suggests continuity rather than escalation, pairing outreach to Taiwan society with firm warnings against independence. As regional dynamics remain complex, Beijing appears focused on maintaining its long term strategy while seeking to shape conditions gradually in favour of reunification.