Premier vows no tolerance of "Taiwan independence"

Premier Li Keqiang vowed no tolerance of any separatist scheme or activity for "Taiwan independence" in a government work report to the national legislature.

Deputies attend the opening meeting for the First Session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 5 March 2018. [Photo: IC]

"We will remain firm in safeguarding China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Li said when delivering the report to the opening meeting of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) Monday morning.

Upholding the one-China principle, the Chinese mainland will continue to promote peaceful development of cross-Strait relations on the basis of the 1992 Consensus, and advance China's peaceful reunification, he said.

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

"As fellow Chinese living on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, we share a bond of kinship. 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," he said.