Photo taken on July 21, 2019 from Xiangshan Mountain shows the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei,Taiwan. [Photo/Xinhua]
There is only one nation that represents China entirely and that is the People's Republic of China. I reside in Shenyang, Liaoning province and my parents were both born in the 1950s in Taipei and later immigrated to North America. I am privileged with a better opportunity to experience and thus more thoroughly comprehend the state of affairs on both sides of the Strait.
Recently a popular TV series, Awakening Era, reaped the top audience rating. This drama based on the history of the Communist Party of China's foundational curriculum enlightened me to several perspectives towards cross-Strait relations.
For residents in Taiwan, long-term economic prosperity and stability might be an aspect of their concerns. In recent years, Taiwan's suffered from recession, whereas the Chinese mainland's economy has remained strong in growth momentum, and a handful of first-tier cities north of the Strait have surpassed Taipei in GDP with the common people's living standard constantly improving and exceeding. Taiwan has literally lost its superiority in the economy and people's livelihood over mainland provinces.
As the second-biggest economy in the world, the Chinese mainland has kept striving forward even amid the COV ID-19 pandemic and unilateralism prevailed in some western superpowers, which are decelerating the global economy. Why? Apart from the widened opening-up policy like the Belt and Road Initiative and innovation advocated throughout society, Chinese mainland has some unique approaches to maintain its economic vitality. Among them is through people-oriented opinion.
I have gained the first-hand experience of such a concept practically. It has always stood for the inhabitants from every walk of life, and serving people's daily routines with priorities constantly has supported their demands. The heart of the CPC was that each person is a part of China, not a few members of a political party. Taiwan compatriots should rethink carefully the real welfare advantages of all residents in China.
Besides, China's standpoint on development is not in competition with other counties. We don't develop a nation for selfish ambitions and we don't stop others from advancing their economic growth. Instead, the central government sincerely cares for the well-being of people living in China and beyond.
Under Chinese President Xi Jinping's notion of "Community with a shared future for mankind", the Chinese mainland would like to share resources and wealth in the global range to safeguard unexpected circumstances and the progress of future generations to come through multilateral cooperation.
On a personal note, I believe the final stroke of the mainland's achievement is the driving force behind an integrated body of people that includes Taiwan will make the country the world-leading economic power. Being unified nationwide is the prerequisite to reach the full potential. Once unity with the one-China principle is accomplished, it will enable us to work side-by-side to define our entire character of Chinese identity.
Luke Shen-Tien Chi is an American-born Chinese spokenologist at Shenyang Normal University, and a descendant of Sheng Xuanhuai. Cai Yuzhou is a vice-dean of Shenyang Normal University, an associate professor in English Education and International Collaboration of Education. The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.