Taiwan Authorities Urged to Follow "One-China" Principle: Official

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 06, 2001

Taiwan Authorities Urged to Follow "One-China" Principle: Official

Zhang Mingqing, spokesman of the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, Wednesday urged the Taiwan authorities to recognize the "one-China" principle and improve cross-Straits ties in the wake of Taiwan island's "legislative" elections on Saturday. Chinese mainland's policies on Taiwan will remain unchanged despite the results of the recent regional "parliamentary" elections and polls for county magistrates and city mayors in the island province.

Chinese mainland's policies on Taiwan will remain unchanged despite the results of the recent regional "parliamentary" elections and polls for county magistrates and city mayors in the island province of China.

"It is utterly impossible at present for us to have contact with them, because the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) still upholds its pro-independence platform, refuses to accept the one-China principle and denies the 1992 consensus,'' stated Zhang Mingqing, director of the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, at Wednesday's news conference.

Policies on Taiwan Remain Unchanged

The mainland will keep to the principle of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems," President Jiang Zemin's Eight Proposals on the development of current relations across the Taiwan Straits, as well as the policies for the promotion of the cross-straits economic exchange and cooperation.

Chen Shui-bian of the DPP reportedly said on Monday that his party's dramatic win in weekend elections has not changed his commitment to improving cross-Straits ties. Chen indicated that Beijing should deal with his administration because the ruling DPP has emerged as the largest party in the "parliament,'' having won 87 seats in the 225-member chamber.

Zhang, however, said: "Whether he (Chen) accepts the one-China principle and the 1992 consensus is the crux of the problem with his basic attitude (towards developing cross-Straits relations).''

"It is not how much goodwill and kindness he has shown,'' the spokesman said. "Any goodwill and kindness would be short of sincerity if he fails to recognize the one-China principle and the 1992 consensus.'' "It is not that we do not want to have contact with them, it is the DPP itself that has shut the door to cross-Straits negotiations,'' he added.

Surveys in Taiwan show that the number of people supporting the policy of "one country, two systems" is on the rise as mainstream public opinion in the island province is still in favor of improving and developing the cross-straits ties and opposing "Taiwan independence", the official noted.

DPP Itself Shut Door for Negotiations

He reiterated that the mainland will keep in touch with any Taiwan-based party that accepts the One-China Principle, recognizes the 1992 cross-straits consensus, and supports the improvement and development of cross-straits ties.

However, Zhang said, the mainland will not contact the DDP, since the Taiwan-based party has closed the door for exchanges with the mainland itself by refusing to revise its pro-independence constitution, recognize the one-China principle and the 1992 cross-straits consensus.

Beijing has set the one-China principle as a precondition for the resumption of cross-Straits talks. The principle holds that there is only one China in the world; both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are parts of China and Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity are indivisible.

Under the informal agreement reached in November 1992 between negotiators from both sides of the Straits, the two sides agreed to adhere to the one-China principle.

But Chen has been refusing to embrace the one-China principle and denying the existence of the 1992 consensus since he took office in May last year, ending the Kuomintang (KMT)'s 55-year grip on power on the island.

Close Watch on Future Developments

He said that Beijing will keep close watch on future developments in Taipei's mainland policy in an apparent warning against more pro-independence moves by Taiwan authorities following the DPP electoral victory.

While claiming that the aspiration of Taiwan mainstream society is still opposed to Taiwan independence and in favour of improvement of cross-Straits ties, Zhang warned that any political movement which acts against that aspiration will eat its own bitter fruit.

While commenting on the Taiwan Authorities' plan to establish a "national stability alliance", the official stressed that the key issue between the two sides is that the Taiwan Authorities should recognize the one-China principle and the 1992 cross-straits consensus, which is the way for Taiwan to achieve real stability. The mainland will keep a close watch on the proposed body, he added.

Never Condone Any Manoeuvre for 'Taiwan Independence'

Meanwhile, Vice-Premier Qian Qichen warned on Tuesday that Beijing will never condone any manoeuvre for "Taiwan independence''.

Only by adhering to the one-China principle can a peaceful reunification be achieved, Qian reportedly told a delegation from the United States.

The Chinese Government proposes to settle the Taiwan question by peaceful means and, at the same time, does not undertake to renounce the use of force.

"Cross-Straits talks can be resumed and everything can be discussed as long as the Taiwan authorities accept the one-China principle,'' Qian was quoted as saying.

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