Cross-Straits Dialogue on "One China" Consensus May Be Reopened

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, December 17, 2001

Cross-Straits Dialogue on "One China" Consensus May Be Reopened

Chinese mainland would authorize ARATS to reopen dialogue and consultations with Taiwan as long as the Taiwan authorities accept the "One China" principle, said Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said Sunday. He warned Taiwan authorities not to continue to challenge the "One China" principle, deny the consensus and plot new separatist moves, which would poison the cross-strait relations and heighten tension and confrontation and eventually damage the interests of Taiwan compatriots.

Dialogue on Cross-straits Ties to Be Reopened

Chen Yunlin told the journalist that the Association for Relations Across Taiwan Straits (ARATS) on the Chinese mainland will be authorized to open dialogue and consultations with its Taiwanese counterpart over political, economic and other matters of mutual concern in the cross-straits ties.

Chen made the remarks at a reception marking the 10th anniversary of the ARATS, which was set up by the mainland to conduct dialogue with Taiwan a decade ago.

Success in Breaking Stalemate Depends

The ARATS, headed by Wang Daohan, and Strait Exchange Foundation (SEF) in Taiwan, led by Koo Chen-fu, reached a verbal consensus in 1992 to the effect that "both sides of the (Taiwan) Straits adhere to the 'One China' principle" and "strive for the reunification of the country".

The current Taiwan authorities, which came to power last year, have yet to accept the consensus.

The director said the restoration of dialogue between ARATS and SEF and success in breaking the stalemate in cross-straits relations at present and in the future depends on the attitude of the Taiwan authorities towards the "1992 consensus".

In a written speech at the reception, ARATS President Wang Daohan also appealed to the Taiwan authorities for restoration of the cross-strait dialogue.

"It is time to reopen the dialogue as soon as possible on the basis of the consensus" reached by the ARATS and SEF, he says.

'One China' Principle Unswerving

Chen warned Taiwan authorities not to continue to challenge the "One China" principle, deny the consensus and plot new separatist moves, which would poison the cross-strait relations and heighten tension and confrontation and eventually damage the interests of Taiwan compatriots.

"Our position of adhering to the 'One China' principle is unswerving," says the director.

The Association for Relations Across Taiwan Straits (ARATS) was established in Beijing on December 1991 with Wang Daohan as its chairman. It aims to promote the exchanges across the Straits, develop the cross-Straits ties and realize the peaceful reunification.

The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), with Koo Chen-fu as its chairman, was established in 1991. Being a non-governmental intermediary organization, it is supervised and directed by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) to handle affairs that arise in the course of exchanges across the strait.

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