Proper handling of the Taiwan question, which was and remains
the most important and sensitive issue in China-US relations, is
the key to a stable and growing relationship between the two
countries, a senior official said yesterday.
Signed on February 28, 1971, "the Shanghai Communique put an end
to 23 years of mutual estrangement between China and the United
States and opened the door for their renewed exchanges," said State
Councilor Tang Jiaxuan at a meeting to mark the 32nd anniversary of
the issuance of the communique.
The communique laid down some basic guiding principles for the
conduct of Sino-US relations, Tang said. The principles were
subsequently reaffirmed and expanded in the Communique on the
Establishment of China-US Diplomatic Relations and August 17th
Communique.
"The very core of the three joint communiques is the one-China
principle," he stressed.
China hopes the United States will stick to the one-China
policy, abide by the principles of the three joint communiques,
oppose Taiwan independence and uphold its stated position on the
issue of Taiwan's referendum so as to preserve the common interests
of China and the United States and maintain peace and stability in
the Asia-Pacific region, the councilor said.
"Peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" is the
fundamental principle to resolve the Taiwan question, he said. To
this, the Chinese government and people have made long-term
unremitting efforts.
A peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question conforms to the
interest of the United States and China, agreed the US Ambassador
to China Clark T. Randt in his speech.
However, Tang noted the separatist forces in Taiwan have turned
their back on the fundamental interests of the Taiwan people and
the common well-being of the people across the Straits by pushing
for Taiwan independence, erecting one barrier after another to
cross-Straits relations and creating endless troubles to hamper
peace in the Taiwan Straits.
"Facts have proved that the referendum which the leader of the
Taiwan authorities is launching unilaterally has nothing to do with
democracy in Taiwan's society; neither will it serve peace in
Taiwan," he said.
"It can only aggravate the divisiveness and turbulence in Taiwan
and lead to tensions across the Straits. Such a provocative action
is bound to meet widespread opposition from the people across the
Straits and international community at large."
"Attempts at Taiwan independence pose the biggest threat to
peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits right now," Tang
said.
Tang said Sino-US relations have delivered tangible benefits to
the two peoples.
Apart from frequent visits by national leaders and officials,
the two governments have signed more than 30 cooperative agreements
and proud results have been achieved in cooperation in law
enforcement, culture, education, health care, competitive sports,
Tang said.
The US ambassador said bilateral ties will be better and better
in the future.
(China Daily February 28, 2004)