Premier urges equal treatment of people on both sides of Straits

Beijing will never tolerate any separatist schemes or activities related to "Taiwan independence", Premier Li Keqiang warned on Monday in Beijing.

He made the remark when delivering the Government Work Report at the opening meeting of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress, the top legislature.

"We will remain firm in safeguarding China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Li said.

In upholding the one-China policy, the mainland will continue to promote peaceful development of cross-Straits relations on the basis of the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China policy and advances China's peaceful reunification, he said.

Li promised that the mainland will expand cross-Straits economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, and ensure that over time people from Taiwan come to enjoy the same treatment as mainland residents when they pursue studies, do business, work or live on the mainland.

"As fellow Chinese living on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, we share a bond of kinship," he said. "As long as we go with the tide of history and work together for our nation's greater good, we will together create the future-a beautiful future of national rejuvenation."

Zhang Zhijun, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said by upholding the one-China policy, Beijing will continue to promote peaceful development and advance China's peaceful reunification.

"However, if some people insist on supporting 'Taiwan independence' and destroying our homes and lands, the Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots, won't accept it. The Chinese nation won't accept it. What they (separatists) do is futile," he said.

"We have firm resolve and are full of confidence that we have sufficient capability to stop any scheme or activity related to 'Taiwan independence'."

Zhang said tension between the mainland and Taiwan has been caused by the Taiwan authority's failure to recognize the 1992 Consensus.

To further promote exchanges and cooperation with the island, the office introduced 31 measures that allow Taiwan residents to share in the opportunities brought about by the mainland's development.

The measures cover industry, finance and taxation, land use, employment, education, culture and healthcare. They include 12 that relate to equal treatment for Taiwan enterprises.

Financial institutions in Taiwan can cooperate with mainland counterparts to provide small payment and credit services for Taiwan residents, according to the measures.

The measures can help Taiwan businesses reduce their manufacturing and operating costs, speed up transformation and upgrade and expand in the mainland market.

There are also 19 measures offering Taiwan people equal treatment with mainland residents in areas including education, establishing businesses, and working on the mainland.

Limits on films and television programs, including annual quotas on TV content or the number of movies airing in cinemas, will also be eliminated.