President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at a gathering held Wednesday in Beijing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. 

Here are highlights of President Xi's speech:

Resolving Taiwan question, complete reunification a historic task

Since 1949, the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese government and the Chinese people have always unwaveringly taken resolving the Taiwan question to realize China's complete reunification as a historic task, President Xi Jinping said.

Breakthroughs in cross-Straits relations over 70 years

Over the 70 years, estrangement between the mainland and Taiwan was ended in line with the common will of compatriots across the Straits, and Taiwan compatriots have made great contributions to the reform and opening-up in the mainland, said Xi.

During the seven decades, the mainland and Taiwan reached the 1992 Consensus based on the one-China principle, and the political exchanges across the Straits have reached new heights, Xi said.

Over the 70 years, the basic principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" were established, and the basic policy of upholding "one country, two systems" and advancing the national reunification was laid out, according to Xi.

He continued that more and more countries and peoples have understood and supported the cause of the reunification of China over the 70 years.

Furthermore, over the 70 years, a series of major victories in the battles against "Taiwan independence" and separatists have been achieved, Xi said.

Cross-Straits reunification an irresistible trend

The historical and legal facts, that Taiwan is part of China and the two sides across Taiwan Straits belong to one and the same China, can never be altered by anyone or any force, said Xi.

The fact that compatriots across the Straits are all Chinese who share natural kinship and national identity can never be changed by anyone or any force, Xi added.

The peaceful and stable development of cross-Straits situations and the progress of cross-Straits relations are the tide of the time that can never be stopped by anyone or any force, said Xi.

China must be, will be reunified

"It is a historical conclusion drawn over the 70 years of the development of cross-Straits relations, and a must for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era," he said.

He called on Chinese people across the Taiwan Straits as well as at home and abroad to work together for the Chinese nation's greater good and go with the tide of history, to jointly push forward the peaceful development of the cross-Strait relations and advance the process toward the peaceful reunification of China.

Taiwan question will definitely end with national rejuvenation

The Taiwan question originated from national weakness and disorder, and will definitely end with national rejuvenation, Xi said.

The Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits should make joint efforts to seek national reunification, Xi said.

The future of Taiwan lies in national reunification and the wellbeing of Taiwan compatriots is linked to national rejuvenation, Xi said. "Peaceful development of cross-Straits relations is the correct road to maintaining cross-Straits peace, promoting cross-Straits common development, and benefiting compatriots on both sides of the Straits."

Peaceful development of cross-Straits relations should be pushed forward, maintained and shared by compatriots on both sides of the Strait, he said.

Xi expounds best approach to reunification

The principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" are the best approach to realizing national reunification, Xi said.

On the basis of ensuring China's sovereignty, security and interests of development, the social system and way of life in Taiwan will be fully respected, and the private property, religious beliefs and legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots will be fully protected after peaceful reunification is realized, Xi said.

"We are all of the same family. The cross-Straits affairs are domestic affairs and should naturally be addressed through discussion and consultation by ourselves," Xi said.

As long as the one-China principle is upheld, there will be no obstacles in exchanges between political parties and groups in Taiwan and the mainland, Xi said.

Xi proposes institutional arrangement for peaceful development of cross-Straits relations

President Xi Jinping proposed that the mainland and Taiwan conduct democratic consultation on cross-Straits relations and the future of the nation, and establish institutional arrangement for peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

Political parties and all sectors on both sides of the Straits may recommend representatives to conduct extensive and in-depth democratic consultation on the basis of the common political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence," Xi said.

Xi pledges utmost sincerity for peaceful reunification, makes no promise to abandon use of force

While noting that "Chinese don't fight Chinese," Xi said peaceful reunification is in the best interests of compatriots across the Straits as well as the Chinese nation.

"We make no promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option of taking all necessary means," he added.

This does not target compatriots in Taiwan, but the interference of external forces and the very small number of "Taiwan independence" separatists and their activities, he said.

"Taiwan independence" goes against the trend of history and will lead to a dead end, he said.

"We are willing to create broad space for peaceful reunification, but will leave no room for any form of separatist activities," he added.

Taiwan to be guaranteed lasting peace after peaceful reunification

Xi called for efforts to deepen the integrated development across the Taiwan Straits to consolidate the foundation of peaceful reunification, adding that "Chinese people should help each other."

Xi also pledged to further institutionalize the cross-Straits economic cooperation and to forge a cross-Straits common market.

Both sides should enhance the free flow of trade, connectivity in infrastructure, exchange of energy and resources, and shared industrial standards, said Xi.