"We welcome the efforts made by any individuals or any political
parties in Taiwan toward the direction of recognizing the one-China
principle," President Hu Jintao
said in Beijing Friday.
He said the Chinese people will do their best to seek peaceful
reunification of the motherland but will never tolerate "Taiwan
independence."
"We will continue to make our greatest efforts with the utmost
sincerity to seek the prospects of peaceful reunification.
Meanwhile, we will never tolerate 'Taiwan independence' and never
allow the 'Taiwan independence' secessionist forces to make Taiwan
secede from the motherland under any name or by any means," said
Hu, while attending a joint panel discussion of CPPCC members
representing the Taiwan region Friday afternoon.
As China's top advisory body, the Chinese People's
Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)
is now in an annual full session of its 2,000-strong-member
National Committee.
"Tremendous and complicated changes have taken place on the
Taiwan Island in recent years, and the intensified activities of
the 'Taiwan independence' secessionist forces have posed a grave
impact on the peaceful and stable development of across-Straits
relations," said Hu, citing the Taiwan authorities' pursuit of a
"creeping independence" by means of "rectification of Taiwan's
name" and "desinification."
"The Taiwan authorities have deliberately provoked antagonism
across the Taiwan Straits and tried every means to undermine the
status quo that the mainland and Taiwan belong to one
and the same China," said Hu.
Evidence has shown that the "Taiwan independence" secessionist
forces and their activities are increasingly becoming the "biggest
obstacle for the development of cross-Straits relations" and the
"biggest real threat to peace and stability in the region around
the Taiwan Straits," the president said.
"If we do not oppose and check the 'Taiwan independence'
secessionist forces and their activities resolutely, they will
certainly pose a severe threat to China's national sovereignty and
territorial integrity, ruin the prospects of peaceful
reunification, and harm the fundamental interests of the Chinese
nation," he added.
The president acknowledged that at present, some "new and
positive factors" that are conducive to checking the "Taiwan
independence" secessionist activities have emerged in the
cross-Straits relations, and the tense situation across the Straits
has developed "certain signs of relaxation."
However, "the struggle against the 'Taiwan independence'
secessionist forces and their activities remains stark and
complex," he said.
Hu put forth a four-point guideline on the development of
cross-Straits relations "under the new circumstances."
"First, adhering strongly to the one-China principle," he said.
"Adherence to the one-China principle serves as the cornerstone for
developing cross-Straits relations and realizing peaceful
reunification of the motherland."
Although the mainland and Taiwan are not yet reunified, the fact
that the two sides belong to one and the same China has remained
unchanged since 1949. "This is the status quo of cross-Straits
relations," said Hu.
"The sticking point in the current development of cross-Straits
relations lies in the fact that the Taiwan authorities have refused
to recognize the one-China principle and the '1992
Consensus' that embodies this principle," said the
president.
Dialogues and talks between the two sides can be resumed
immediately, and can be carried out on whatever topics and issues,
as long as the Taiwan authorities acknowledge the "1992 Consensus,"
said Hu.
"We can talk about the official conclusion of the state of
hostility between the two sides, the establishment of military
mutual trust, the Taiwan region's room of international operation
compatible with its status, the political status of the Taiwan
authorities and the framework for peaceful and stable development
of cross-Straits relations, which we have proposed," Hu said.
"We can also talk about all the issues that need to be resolved
in the process of realizing peaceful reunification," he added.
"We welcome the efforts made by any individuals or any political
parties in Taiwan toward the direction of recognizing the one-China
principle," said Hu.
"No matter who he is and which political party it is, and no
matter what they said and did in the past, we're willing to talk
with them on issues of developing cross-Straits relations and
promoting peaceful reunification as long as they recognize the
one-China principle and the '1992 Consensus'," he added.
Hu urged the Taiwan authorities to stop all activities for
"Taiwan independence" and return to the path of recognizing the
"1992 Consensus" at an early date.
The following is the full text of Hu's four-point guideline on
cross-Straits relations:
First, never sway in adhering to the one-China
principle
Adherence to the one-China principle serves as the cornerstone
for developing cross-Straits relations and realizing peaceful
reunification of the motherland. Although the mainland and Taiwan
are not yet reunified, the fact that the two sides belong to one
and the same China has remained unchanged since 1949. This is the
status quo of cross-Straits relations. This is not only our stand,
but also what can be found in the existing regulations and
documents in Taiwan. Since Taiwan and the mainland belong to one
and the same China, there shall be no such question as who annexes
whom between the mainland and Taiwan.
The sticking point in the current development of cross-Straits
relations lies in the fact that the Taiwan authorities have refused
to recognize the one-China principle and the "1992 Consensus" that
embodies this principle. Whoever started the trouble should end it.
Dialogues and talks between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits can
be resumed immediately, and can be carried out on whatever topics
and issues, as long as the Taiwan authorities acknowledge the "1992
Consensus." The two sides can not only talk about the official
conclusion of the state of hostility, the establishment of military
mutual trust, the Taiwan region's room of international operation
compatible with its status, the political status of the Taiwan
authorities and the framework for peaceful and stable development
of cross-Straits relations, which we have proposed, but also talk
about all the issues that need to be resolved in the process of
realizing peaceful reunification.
We welcome the efforts made by any individuals or any political
parties in Taiwan toward the direction of recognizing the one-China
principle. No matter who he is and which political party it is, and
no matter what they said and did in the past, we're willing to talk
with them on issues of developing cross-Straits relations and
promoting peaceful reunification as long as they recognize the
one-China principle and the "1992 Consensus."
We hope the Taiwan authorities could stop all activities for
"Taiwan independence" and return to the path of recognizing the
"1992 Consensus" at an early date.
Once the one-China principle is followed, we are willing to make
positive responses to any proposals and suggestions that are
conducive to maintaining peace in the Taiwan Straits, developing
cross-Straits relations and promoting peaceful reunification, and
also willing to seek, on the basis of the joint efforts by both
sides, new ways for contacts and communications.
Second, never give up efforts to seek peaceful
reunification
The 1.3 billion Chinese people, including the Taiwan
compatriots, all love peace and sincerely hope to maintain peace
and live in peace. They share an even greater hope that the
flesh-and-blood brothers in one family can resolve their own
problems peacefully.
A peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue and peaceful
reunification of the motherland conform to the fundamental
interests of compatriots across the Taiwan Straits and the Chinese
nation, as well as the currents of peace and development in the
world today. This is the fundamental reason why we have always been
making unremitting efforts for the realization of peaceful
reunification.
Peaceful reunification does not mean that one side "swallows"
the other, but that the two sides confer on reunification through
consultation on an equal footing. The realization of peaceful
reunification between the two sides across the Straits is a bliss
for the compatriots on both sides, as well as a bliss for the
region and the whole world. When the two sides of the Straits are
reunited, the estrangement across the Straits caused by a long time
of separation can be removed, and affinity between the compatriots
on both sides enhanced. The military confrontation across the
Straits will be brought to an end, making it possible for the
compatriots on both sides to jointly engage themselves in peaceful
construction. The economies of both sides can better complement and
mutually benefit each other, bringing the compatriots on both sides
together to seek common development. Both sides can work together
to push forward the lofty cause of world peace and development,
allowing the compatriots on both sides to share the dignity and
glory of the great motherland. State sovereignty and territorial
integrity can be genuinely guaranteed, enabling the compatriots on
both sides to jointly promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese
nation.
The people long for peace and the country needs stability. As
long as there is still a ray of hope for peaceful reunification,
we'll do our utmost to achieve it. We hope at the bottom of our
hearts that relevant personages and political parties in Taiwan
would seriously consider this important issue, and proceeding from
the righteous cause of the nation and the well-being of the
compatriots on both sides of the Straits, make the correct historic
choice to maintain peace across the Taiwan Straits, promote
cross-Straits relations and realize peaceful reunification.
Third, never change the principle of placing hope on the
Taiwan people
The Taiwan compatriots are our flesh-and-blood brothers, as well
as an important force in developing cross-Straits relations and
checking the "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities. The
more the "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces want to isolate
the Taiwan compatriots from us, the more closely we have to unite
with them. Under whatever circumstances, we shall always respect,
trust and rely on the Taiwan compatriots, land ourselves in their
position to think of their difficulties, and do everything we can
to look after and safeguard their legitimate rights and
interests.
The marketing of Taiwan's farm produce in the mainland is an
issue that involves the fundamental interests of the broad masses
of the Taiwan farmers, and therefore must be addressed in a
down-to-earth manner. If the cross-Straits direct passenger charter
flights can be conducted on all festivals and holidays, they can
also gradually develop into a regular practice. On the issue of
cross-Straits direct cargo charter flights, non-governmental trade
organizations of both sides could also exchange views.
We will further adopt, step by step, policies and measures to
resolve problems about which the Taiwan compatriots are concerned,
and to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the Taiwan
compatriots. Anything beneficial to the Taiwan compatriots and
conducive to the promotion of cross-Straits exchanges, to the
maintenance of peace in the Taiwan Straits region and to the
motherland's peaceful reunification, we will do it with our utmost
efforts and will do it well. This is our solemn commitment to the
broad masses of the Taiwan compatriots.
Fourth, never compromise in opposing the 'Taiwan
independence' secessionist activities
Safeguarding state sovereignty and territorial integrity is
where a country's core interest lies. On no account shall the 1.3
billion Chinese people allow anyone to undermine China's
sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will not have the
slightest hesitation, falter or concession on the major principle
issue of opposing secession. The "Taiwan independence" secessionist
forces must abandon their secessionist stand and stop all "Taiwan
independence" activities.
We hope the leader of the Taiwan authorities could earnestly
fulfill the "five no's" commitment he reaffirmed on February 24, as
well as his commitment of not seeking "legalization of Taiwan
independence" through the "constitutional reform," and show to the
world, through his own concrete action, that this was not an empty
word or mere lip service that can be forsaken at will.
China belongs to the 1.3 billion Chinese people including the 23
million Taiwan compatriots, so do the mainland and Taiwan Island.
Any issue involving China's sovereignty and territorial integrity
must be decided collectively by the entire 1.3 billion Chinese
people.
We believe that the broad masses of the Taiwan compatriots will
definitely join us to resolutely safeguard state sovereignty and
territorial integrity and resolutely safeguard the fundamental
interests of the Chinese nation.
(Editor's note: The "five no's" commitment refers to the
promise once made by the leader of the Taiwan authorities not to do
five things in his office tenure. The five things, including
declaring "Taiwan independence," changing the official name of the
Taiwan region and promoting a so-called "referendum on independence
or reunification," are all outrageous secessionist activities
totally unacceptable to the entire Chinese people.)
(Xinhua News Agency March 4, 2005)