Taiwan Compatriots Share Hopes after National Meeting on 40 Yrs of Reform, Opening-up

President Xi Jinping and other senior leaders present China reform friendship medals to the prize winners during the gathering in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on December 18. [Xinhua]

Two residents from Taiwan recently gave an interview to share their feelings after attending a national conference in Beijing on December 18 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of reform and opening-up.

Xue Qingde, chief supervisor of the Pingtan Taiwan Compatriots Investment Enterprises Association, was the first winner of the Five-virtue Families award from the island province. Chen Xiurong is chairperson of a Fuzhou-based enterprise and part-time vice-president of Fujian Women's Federation.

Xue and Chen were recommended by the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) and invited as special delegates to the gathering.

Addressing the meeting, President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission, described reform and opening-up as “a great reawakening” of the Party.

Xue said it was an honor for him to attend the conference. He remarked that he felt greatly inspired by the solemn pledges made by Xi in his speech concerning the development of cross-Straits relations and the resolve to uphold national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Xue explained that he would closely follow the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping as its core, work hard, mobilize and unite the Chinese people across the Straits to strive for the realization of the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.

For her part, Chen echoed Xi's statement that the Chinese people have achieved what once was impossible on a wide range of topics, from economic development to ecological and environmental protection.

The great success made by the Chinese people since the introduction of the reform and opening-up policy comes from unity, perseverance, and the adherence to their original aspirations, Chen emphasized. She added that she felt proud when Justin Yifu Lin, also from Taiwan, was awarded the reform pioneer medal on the occasion.

Chen pledged that as the first part-time vice-president of a provincial women's federation from Taiwan, she would strictly undertaken her duties, better serve Taiwan compatriots working in Fujian, and bring more tangible benefits to people from both sides of the Straits.

(Source: Women Voice / Translated and edited by Women of China)