A Xinhua report yesterday quoted PLA delegate Dai Changyou as saying during a panel discussion that any separatist attempt on Taiwan will not be tolerated.

The same story also quoted another PLA delegate, Xu Chengyun, who said it is a task of the army to ensure the reunification of China.

"The Chinese people will not allow Taiwan to be separated from China, nor will the army," said Xu. "If anyone has an eye on Taiwan independence, we will take resolute measures and smash these attempts."

CPC General Secretary Jiang Zemin reiterated in his keynote speech at the opening session of the congress last Friday the firm opposition to all words and deeds aimed at creating "Taiwan independence," "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan."

He called for the shelving of certain political disputes and the early resumption of cross-Straits dialogue and negotiations on the basis of the one-China principle.

His words were echoed by delegates attending the congress.

Dai stressed the principle of "One Country, Two Systems," and efforts for the peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question.

The principle of "One Country, Two Systems," put forward by late leader Deng Xiaoping, has already guided the central government in resolving the Hong Kong and Macao questions.

Delegate Gao Siren said the earnest implementation of "One Country, Two Systems" has proved the principle works.

This was backed up by the success of "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, delegates to the Party Congress also called for enhanced exchanges and cooperation across the Straits.

Delegate Li Jiaxiang, expressing hope for the early realization of the "three direct links" (of trade, transport and mail), said that people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits will benefit.

(China Daily November 14, 2002)