'Gradual Independence of Taiwan' Dangerous: Scholars

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, March 21, 2002

'Gradual Independence of Taiwan' Dangerous: Scholars

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"Gradual Taiwan independence" move urged to stop

A group of scholars urged the Taiwan authorities Wednesday to stop proceeding any further with the "gradual independence of Taiwan", which the scholars believe will bring disastrous consequences to the Taiwan compatriots.

They expressed hope that the Taiwan authorities should not misjudge the international situation or underestimate the determination of the 1.3 billion mainlanders in the country's reunification.

Taiwan issue is China's internal affair

The Taiwan issue is China's internal affair and it is the unswerving policy of the Chinese government to achieve a peaceful reunification, said Xu Bodong, director of the Taiwan research center under Beijing Union University.It is the desire of the Chinese government and people to find a peaceful solution to the Taiwan issue, which is also in the interests of the U.S. side, say the scholars.

The "gradual Taiwan independence" should be abandoned as it has constituted a defiance to the one China principle and runs counter to the mainstream will of Taiwan compatriots, they say.

On the other hand, the one China policy has been the consistent stand of the U.S. government, he said. "Further proceeding with the "gradual Taiwan independence" is no different from pulling chestnuts from a fire."

Pro-independence forces seeking "gradual independence"

The Taiwanese authorities have taken a series of measures recently to seek a "gradual independence" of the island province, including the inclusion of "Taiwan" on its citizens' passports and all its overseas branches.

Such activities, aiming at creating conditions for Taiwan's "independence", have aroused wide attention at home and abroad.

Taiwan leaders are two-faced when dealing with the Taiwan issue, said Xu.

On one hand, they pretend to be committed to improving cross-straits relations so as to satisfy the United States and win international acclaim.

On the other hand, they have put forward separatist policies in cultural, historical, educational and communication fields so that when opportunity arises, they will achieve "independence".

The scholars have attributed the "gradual Taiwan independence" move on the island province mainly to the "independence ideology" of the Taiwan authorities.

Meanwhile, a small group of pro-independence forces have misjudged the development trend of Sino-U.S. relations by unilaterally interpreting U.S. president George W. Bush's speech made during his China visit and distorting the public opinion, said Tao Wenzhao, deputy director of the Institute of American Studies under the Academy of Social Sciences.

"This is another reason why the 'gradual independence' policies have been exercised recently in Taiwan," he said.

Though differences and frictions have always existed between China and the United States, bilateral ties have continued and will continue to maintain an upward momentum, because of the common interests shared by the two countries and China's own rapid growth, said Tao.

It is the desire of the Chinese government and people to find a peaceful solution to the Taiwan issue, which is also in the interests of the U.S. side, say the scholars.

The "gradual Taiwan independnce" should be abandoned as it has constituted a defiance to the one China principle and runs counter to the mainstream will of Taiwan compariots, they say.

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