Taiwan Authorities Should Make Sage Choices on Resumption of Cross-Straits Talks

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 27, 2001

Taiwan Authorities Should Make Sage Choices on Resumption of Cross-Straits Talks

Zhang Mingqing, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of China's State Council, Wednesday held a press conference. As new year is imminent, Zhang extended greetings to Taiwan compatriots on behalf of the Taiwan affairs offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council and answered questions concerning resumption of Cross-Straits talks, contact with DPP, three links and etc.

Resumption of Cross-Straits Talks

Zhang urged the Taiwan authorities to make choices which are conducive to the resumption of cross-straits talks with the mainland, "cross-straits dialogue can be resumed at any time providing the Taiwan authorities accept the One-China Principle and recognize the 1992 cross-straits consensus".

Some Taiwan officials have repeatedly gone against both the principle and the consensus, which has made it impossible to resume talks, said Zhang when answering journalists' questions on the possible resumption of cross-straits talks next year.

He told reporters that the Taiwan authorities' sincerity will be shown by the recognition of the 1992 cross-straits consensus, which sets the precondition for the One-China Principle in cross-straits talks. (In Detail)

Contact with DPP

The mainland side will not have any contact with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of Taiwan if it does not give up its "Taiwan independence" platform, the spokesman said.

Zhang made the remark at a press conference here in response to a Taiwan press report saying that the mainland will adjust its policy towards the DPP after Taiwan's elections.

He said that the report is inconsistent with the facts, for the mainland side has always held that it will have no dealings with the DPP before the DPP gives up its "Taiwan independence" platform. (In Detail)

"Taiwan" on Cover of Passports

A reported plan by Taiwan authorities to write "Taiwan" on the cover of passports in place of the "Republic of China" drew attention since the move was part of a symbolic inching towards independence.

Zhang said that the mainland would watch the move with caution, "we will keep vigilance and observe what next steps Taiwan authorities will take".

Party Organizations in Taiwanese-invested Companies

The establishment of grass-roots organizations the Communist Party of China (CPC) will not affect the normal business operations of Taiwanese-invested companies on the mainland.

These CPC grass-roots organizations are established in line with the Party's Constitution by company employees who are CPC members, said the spokesman.

Such organizations are also found in many foreign-invested enterprises, and they have no negative effects on the business operations of these companies, Zhang said. (In Detail)

Textbook Revision Necessary

Aside from the troublesome plan to change the face of the passports, Zhang said Beijing is concerned about textbooks compiled in Taiwan and used in two mainland schools for Taiwanese children.

"What we are really concerned about is whether the content is in accordance with the one-China principle," Zhang said, adding that making necessary changes is entirely in accordance with China's national education regulation.

If "Taiwan independence" and the "two states" remarks were contained in these teaching materials, the younger generation would be misled, so correct revisions should be made, Zhang said.

"Taiwan Advocates"

Asked about some Taiwan business people's participation in Lee Teng-hui's preparations to constitute a new political organization, Zhang said, the Chinese people are confident that the majority of Taiwanese in the business circles can make a clear distinction between right and wrong and will not do anything which jeopardizes relations across the Taiwan Straits.

Being a die-hard separatist, Lee will use all possible means to bring to fruition his palpable and evil intention to separate Taiwan from China, Zhang said.

The Taiwan Advocates intended to recruit entrepreneurs, lawmakers and academics to pursue Taiwan-independence and thwart contacts between both sides. "It is good for them to keep a distance from Lee," Zhang said.

Three Direct Links

Although the Taiwan authorities recently approved direct trade and personnel exchange between Jinmen, Mazu, and the coastal areas of Fujian Province, these are not the three direct links of trade, mail and air and shipping services across the straits, known as the "three direct links," in a genuine sense and could not meet the demands of cross-straits exchange, Zhang said.

"We are willing to support the so-called three 'mini links', but we still hope the Taiwan authorities would give a go-ahead for the 'three direct links' across the straits as early as possible," Zhang said.

After Chinese Taipei's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the name of "separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Jinmen and Mazu", the one-China consensus among the international community has not changed, and China's stand against "Taiwan independence" remains unchanged, Zhang said.

"Being an economic platform for business and trade, WTO should not touch upon political matters," Zhang added.

By People's Daily Online

No Contact with DPP If It Keeps to "Taiwan Independence", Spokesman

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