The Taiwan Affairs Office: The spirit and sentiment of Mr. Sun Yat-sen are a common treasure for compatriots on both sides of the strait.

On November 12th, the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office held a routine press conference. A reporter asked: Today is the 159th anniversary of Mr. Sun Yat-sen's birth. The mainland side has stated that they will hold activities to commemorate the 160th anniversary of Mr. Sun Yat-sen's birth next year. What are your comments on this? Spokesperson Chen Binhua stated that today is the 159th anniversary of Mr. Sun Yat-sen's birth. The mainland side has always believed that Mr. Sun Yat-sen is a respected figure who is common to both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Next year marks the 160th anniversary of Mr. Sun Yat-sen's birth, and the 14th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference recently passed a decision on holding activities to commemorate the 160th anniversary of Mr. Sun Yat-sen's birth. Mr. Sun Yat-sen has always firmly defended national unity and ethnic solidarity, and unequivocally opposes any speech or behavior that seeks to split the country or the nation. His spirit and sentiment are a common treasure for compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. We will hold a grand event to commemorate the 160th anniversary of Mr. Sun Yat-sen's birth, and an important aspect of this is to learn, inherit, and promote his valuable spirit, to unite all Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan, and to strive tirelessly for the realization of national unity and the rejuvenation of the nation.