Responding to a question from a Taiwanese reporter at a press conference held by the office, Zhang described the comment as being in disregard of basic facts and presenting a false picture of peace.

He said the facts are the impasse over relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits has not yet been broken and the cross-Straits relations is unstable, which is the basic cause of political chaos in Taiwan and the poor economic performance and decreasing public support for the leader of the Taiwan authorities.

Regarding a question on whether the military exercise reportedly to be conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in coastal Fujian Province has a specific target, the spokesman said there is no doubt that the exercise is purposeful.

Zhang said it is the duty of the PLA to safeguard the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and it is a necessary measure to hold military exercises to improve the battle effectiveness of the armed forces.

There is no basis for the mainland to make contacts with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan, whose constitution still advocates "Independence of Taiwan", Zhang said.

Explaining why the mainland refuses to make contacts with the DPP, Zhang said the DPP still refuses to accept the "One China" principle.

It is not the mainland that refuses to make contact, in fact, "we are willing to discuss ways to promote cross-Straits relations with all parties in Taiwan under the principle of "One China," said the spokesman.

"By refusing to embrace the principle of 'One China', the Taiwan authorities have closed the door for contact themselves," he added.

Zhang reiterated the point made by Vice-Premier Qian Qichen on January 22 this year that the mainland is willing to talk with those people in Taiwan who have given up the stance of pursuing Taiwan independence.

(People's Daily 05/31/2001)