This incident is an important turning point in Lin Yifu's life, a revival of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait

"The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is a common pursuit of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait"

——Interview with Famous Economist Lin Yifu

"When I returned to the mainland from Taiwan, I hoped to contribute my own strength to the national rejuvenation. I am glad to see that today China is in the best period of development since modern times, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process." Lin Yifu, a famous economist attending the 15th Straits Forum, said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency and other media that the historical trend is vast, and Taiwan should not become a pawn of the United States in curbing the development of the Chinese Mainland. China's development is a common opportunity for people on both sides of the Straits, and the United States will not succeed in its plot. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is a common pursuit of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. As a family on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, we must adhere to the 1992 Consensus and achieve mutual benefit and work together to fulfill our dreams.

Why did you return to the mainland from Taiwan?

Lin Yifu was born in Yilan, Taiwan in 1952. In 1979, he returned to the mainland from Kinmen when the two sides were still in a state of isolation and confrontation.

Speaking of that special experience, Lin Yifu bluntly said, "Every person has a responsibility for the rise and fall of a country."

"Some people say that taking risks from Taiwan to the mainland is a 'legend', but in fact, I am relatively lucky to live in a peaceful period. Looking back on the Opium War, Chinese intellectuals have been pursuing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. In turbulent times, destroying the country and shedding their lives and blood is a gene that every Chinese intellectual has.".

As early as his student days, Lin Yifu had a strong sense of patriotism. In 1970, at the age of 18, he participated in the pro fishing movement as the chairman of the freshman student representative association at Taiwan University.

"The Diaoyu Islands are under the jurisdiction of my hometown Yilan, and sovereignty belongs to China. However, after World War II, the United States privately handed over the jurisdiction of the Diaoyu Islands to Japan, completely disregarding international law and morality." Participating in the Diaoyu Islands Protection Movement triggered Lin Yifu's deep reflection: "If the Chinese nation does not revive, China cannot be respected internationally."

This incident became an important turning point in Lin Yifu's life.

After coming to the mainland, Lin Yifu entered Peking University to study and devoted himself to academic research for a long time. He became a famous economist and witnessed the rapid development of the country and the rapid increase of international influence.

From 2008 to 2012, Lin Yifu served as the Chief Economist of the World Bank. "This position has always been held by master economists from the United States and Europe. Thanks to the development of our motherland, I was able to become the first economist from a developing country to hold this important position." Lin Yifu said, "The achievements of China's reform and opening up have been recognized by the world, giving me the opportunity to do so. We Chinese intellectuals should be the same, all working hard for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."

How to view cross-strait economic and trade cooperation

Lin Yifu has always been concerned about his hometown and is very concerned about Taiwan's economy and people's livelihood.How to promote cross-strait economic cooperation and jointly strengthen the economy of the Chinese nation? He put forward his own opinion.

"Since 2008, the mainland's economic growth has contributed about 30 percent to world economic growth each year. This huge, fast-growing market is a major boon to Taiwan's economy and businesses." He said that the mainland is Taiwan's largest trading partner, and in 2022, even if affected by the epidemic, cross-strait trade will still exceed $300 billion, Taiwan's exports to the mainland exceed $230 billion, and Taiwan maintains a huge surplus with the mainland. The mainland market has made great contributions to Taiwan's economic growth, export growth and job creation.

Lin Yifu pointed out through several examples of the development of Taiwanese enterprises that Taiwanese enterprises have invested in mainland China, seized the momentum of mainland economic growth and vast market space, achieved their own development and growth, opened up larger international markets, and continuously upgraded their industries, continuously improving their competitiveness.

"The stable and rapid development of the mainland is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Taiwan, as well as for Taiwanese enterprises and compatriots." He said, "The key is that Taiwan should clearly recognize that both sides should strengthen exchanges and cooperation on the basis of adhering to the '1992 Consensus'."

Lin Yifu stated that cross-strait economic and trade exchanges are mutually beneficial and win-win. People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait hope for stable employment, continuously increasing income, and creating a better life for the next generation.

What are the expectations for the future of the nation and Taiwanese villagers

"Realizing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is an ideal that has been pursued by several generations," Lin Yifu said firmly when talking about the future in an interview. "I hope to continue to contribute to this, and I believe that all Chinese people will work together to strive."

At this year's Straits Forum conference, Lin Yifu took the stage to give a speech, explaining in simple terms that "in a world full of uncertainty, we should seize the determined opportunities for mainland economic development and move forward through the wind and waves.".

"The world today is witnessing unprecedented changes in a century. Under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese nation has ushered in an unstoppable great rejuvenation," he said.

On the Taiwan Strait Forum, an important platform for civil exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, Lin Yifu expressed his heartfelt voice to the Taiwanese villagers who came to attend: "The development of the mainland is the greatest opportunity for all Chinese people, including our compatriots in Taiwan."

He said with deep affection, "As someone who has reached the age of 'following one's heart and not exceeding one's limits', I want to share my inner words with the younger generation from my hometown - no matter what profession you pursue in the future, come to the mainland, seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, not only can you achieve your own career, but you will also witness the ultimate realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and be proud to say that I have made a contribution to the great cause of national rejuvenation."