Official with Taiwan Affairs Office on the bottom line for use of force

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, January 15, 2004

Official with Taiwan Affairs Office on the bottom line for use of force

Wang Zaixi, vice-minister of China's Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council espoused candidly China's stance of the Taiwan issue and recent policies on his arrival in New York in front of over 400 Chinese overseas on January 13,2004.

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There is "bottom line" on the use of force

Wang said that china issued "White Paper on the One-China Principle and the Taiwan Issue" in February 2002, which clearly expressed the three situations in which China may use force to Taiwan.

The "White Paper on the One-China Principle and the Taiwan Issue" says that china remains firm in adhering to "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems, doing its utmost to achieve the objective of peaceful reunification. However, if a grave turn of events occurs leading to the separation of Taiwan from China in any name, or if Taiwan is invaded and occupied by foreign countries, or if the Taiwan authorities refuse, sine die, the peaceful settlement of cross-straits reunification through negotiations, then the Chinese government will only be forced to adopt all drastic measures possible, including the use of force, to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and fulfill the great cause of reunification.

Wang said that he could say responsibly that the Chinese government is ready to respond to any form of separatist activities for "Taiwan independence" and has the determination, ability and methods to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Wang pointed out that Chinese government leaders have said many times: the Taiwan issue is not allowed to be postponed indefinitely and there can not be without a timetable for the Taiwan issue. However, the reunification of Taiwan is a process therefore it can not be set as a flight schedule. We will make our decision on the progress according to actual situations.

Wang emphasized repeatedly that China must seize the precious opportunity of the first 15 to 20 years of the 21st century in which China is likely to have some great achievement. The Chinese government and Chinese people hope for cross-Straits stability and a stable and peaceful international environment to concentrate on developing economy and gradually realize the peaceful reunification across the Straits.

However, Wang reiterated, if the Taiwan authorities make wrong judgment on the situation, quicken the pace of "Taiwan independence," make provocation against the mainland and the "one-China" principle and cross the bottom line of the mainland, the schedule of solving the Taiwan issue will be changed as these situations change.

Military exercise not especially against Taiwan

On the military exercises launched by the mainland, Wang said that military exercises are routine and normal and are not against Taiwan or a certain special background. Association on this aspect is not necessary. All armies must have military exercises without which they will have no capability in war.

Wang Zaixi, a veteran soldier who has been a General, said: "Compared with ordinary people, I know better what war means thus treasure peace more. I will try my best to check and avoid wars at across the Straits."

Attitude toward Taiwan depends

Many Chinese compatriots overseas are very much concerned with the cross-Straits relations after "3.20" and "5.20". To this Wang said specific prediction can not be made "because many situations are changing so the mainland's policy should be determined according to the situation then." He said the upcoming two months would be a key period for the development of the cross-Straits relations. The result of the "3.20" election and what kind of policy the new Taiwan leadership will adopt will both significantly affect the development of the cross-Straits relations.

The mainland respects Taiwan compatriots' democratic rights and wish for self-rule but is opposed to Taiwan authorities' "Taiwan independence" separatism through "referendum," Wang said.

With regard to the resumption of cross-Straits negotiations, Wang Zaixi said that the mainland has the same stance now and always. Nothing can not be discussed under the one-China principle while the prerequisite is to recognize the one-China principle. If there were no basic consensus on the one-China principle, it would be impossible for the two sides to have negotiations.

Saying the mainland helps Chen Shui-bian in election groundless

Wang Zaixi refuted "groundless" to the rumors saying that the mainland assisted Chen Shui-bian in election.

Raising the election in Taiwan in 2002 as an example, Wang pointed out that the failure of Kuomintang was mainly because its scattered strength as the two candidates of Kuomintang separated the votes. Chen Shui-bian was exaggerating deliberately when he said after taking office that the mainland helped in the election. The election had nothing to do with the speech of Zhu Rongji, then Chinese Premier. "In fact, Zhu's speech was very positive without which Chen might received more votes," Wang said.

By People's Daily Online

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