March

4

At a panel discussion during the annual session of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, President Hu Jintao puts forth the following four-point guideline on the development of cross-strait relations "under new circumstances" -- to never sway in adhering to the one-China principle, to never give up efforts to seek peaceful reunification, to never change the principle of placing hope on the Taiwan people and to never compromise in opposing "Taiwan independence"  secessionist activities.

13

Hu Jintao, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese President, is elected chairman of the State Central Military Commission.

14

The Anti-Secession Law is adopted at the Third Session of the 10th National People's Congress. It is aimed at opposing and checking Taiwan's secession from China by secessionists in the name of "Taiwan independence," promoting peaceful national reunification, maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, preserving China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and safeguarding the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation.

28

The 2004 State Supreme Science and Technology Award ceremony is held in Beijing. The Chinese Government bestowed two first-grade awards for invention at the meeting after a six-year gap. Five foreign scientists were also honored with the State International Scientific Cooperation Awards for their contributions to scientific cooperation between China and other countries.

28-April 1

Chiang Pin-kun, Vice Chairman of the Taiwan-based Chinese Kuomintang Party, leads a 34-member delegation to visit the mainland. It is the Kuomintang's first formal mainland trip in 56 years.