Vigorously Expediting the Process of Peaceful Reunification 　　This article by Wang Yonghai runs in part as follows: Four years have elapsed since the publication of President Jiang Zemin's important speech entitled "Continuing to Work for Promoting Accomplishment of the Great Cause of the Reunification of the Motherland". As we review the course of the development of the cross-Straits relationship over the past four years, we have come to a deeper understanding of the fact that President Jiang's eight-point proposition is a programmatic document guiding our work on Taiwan during the new period. It is of important immediate and far-reaching historical significance to the development of the present and future cross-Straits relations and to the eventual realization of the great cause of the peaceful reunification of the motherland. 　　Over the past four years, President Jiang's eight-point proposition has promoted significant development of cross-Straits relationship, it is highly purposeful and of important practical significance of guidance to doing well our work in relation to Taiwan and propelling the peaceful reunification of the motherland. 　　Whether viewed from the perspective of developing cross-Straits relations, or from realization of peaceful reunification of the motherland, it is essential to persistently adhere to the one-China principle. Whether or not to uphold the one-China principle is a touch stone for judging whether an act is for reunification or is aimed at division. There exist political differences between us and the Taiwan authorities, the heart of the matter lies in whether or not the one-China principle should be upheld; we have waged resolute struggle against the separatist forces on the Taiwan Island, the essence of the struggle is whether to insist on "one China" or to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan". Recently, some people in Taiwan dished out so-called "new Taiwanese", "conducting referendum to decide Taiwan's future", etc., which, in essence, deny the one-China principle in an attempt to separate Taiwan from the territory of China. It is our firm stand to uphold the one-China principle and resolutely oppose all separatist and the "independence of Taiwan" activities. 　　Conducting an early political negotiation is crucial to developing relationship between the two sides at the present stage, and necessary steps toward realizing peaceful reunification of the state. From the short-term perspective, to ensure a healthy development of relations between the two sides, it is imperative to iron out political differences through contact and negotiation and thereby creating a favorable political environment for cross-Straits exchange and cooperation; from the perspective of ultimate goal, political negotiation is the only way to realize peaceful reunification between the two sides across the Straits. 　　The Taiwan authorities should thoroughly renounce their unpopular policies, termed as "guarding against impatience in favor of patience" and "cross-Straits economic exchange and cooperation should not be affected and obstructed by political divergence", they should relax man-made restriction on the exchange between the two sides, so as to create good conditions for deepening understanding between the people of the two sides. 　　In his speech given at the forum held on January 28 this year, Vice-Premier Qian Qichen pointed out: "Hong Kong has returned to the motherland, and the hand-over of Macao's political power will also be realized on December 20 this year. The Solution of the Taiwan issue should not be delayed indefinitely." An early realization of the reunification of the motherland is the common wish and sacred mission of the Chinese, including compatriots between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits. We are already at the threshold of the new century, an early realization of the reunification of the motherland is an urgent yet arduous historical, heavy task confronting us. We must firmly implement the basic principle of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" and President Jiang's eight-point proposition, do various items of work well in a down-to-earth manner, unite all patriotic Chinese in the common effort for an early realization of the complete reunification of the motherland. Indepth 1999-02-15 Page3 Full Story in Chinese