China Holds National Day Reception for Overseas Chinese 　　Nearly 3,000 overseas Chinese and compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan gathered in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 29 evening to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China (PRC). 　　Addressing the reception, Hu Jintao, PRC vice president, welcomed the compatriots and extended earnest greetings and wishes to the overseas Chinese and compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. 　　Hu said that led by the Communist Party of China (CPC), Chinese people waged long-term revolutionary struggle to overturned oppression by the "three big mountains" -- imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism, and founded new China 50 years ago. 　　Since then, Chinese people has become master of their own country and society, and China, a country with 5,000-year old civilization, marched into a new development era, Hu said. 　　Over the past 50 years, China has enjoyed overwhelming changes from poor to rich, from backward to prosperous, and has completed an independent national economic system. The country's prestige is rising worldwide with the achievements in socialist modernization construction scored in the reform and opening-up over the past two decades. 　　Foreseeing the 21st century, Hu noted that Chinese people are confident and able to overcome all difficulties and build China into a strong, prosperous, democratic and civilized country at its 100th founding anniversary. 　　The goal will be surely realized under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Jiang Zemin at the core, with Deng Xiaoping Theory as guideline, and with united efforts by Chinese people at home and overseas, Hu said. 　　He pointed out that Hong Kong's return to China on July 1, 1997 indicated a significant progress in the country's reunification. The practice in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the past two years proves that the policy of "One Country, Two Systems " is correct and wise for keeping long term stability and prosperity in the region. 　　He emphasized that it is only about two months before Macao returns to the motherland. With the example of Hong Kong's smooth return, the participation of the Macao compatriots, and cooperation between China and Portugal, Macao will surely realize a smooth return, he said. 　　Addressing the Taiwan issue, Hu said a peaceful reunification between both sides of the Taiwan Straits is the common desire of the Chinese people both at home and overseas. 　　We will continue to adhere to the basic principles of 'peaceful reunification' and 'one country, two systems' and to the eight- point proposal put forward by President Jiang Zemin. But "we are not committed to abandoning the use of force on the issue of Taiwan," according to Hu. 　　We believe that the Taiwan issued will be finally solved and China will realize its complete reunification, he said. 　　Jiang Zemin has extended concern and condolence to victims of the recent earthquake that rocked Taiwan. 　　Hu again extended concern to victims of the strong quake, which caused deaths and heavy property losses to Taiwan compatriots, expressing sincere wish for the victims to overcome the disaster and carry out home-rebuilding. 　　We are willing to offer any possible assistance to alleviate the quake-caused losses, he said. 　　In conclusion, Hu attributed new China's achievements over the past 50-years to effort and work of domestic and overseas Chinese people, calling for further efforts and contributions to the development and peaceful reunification cause of their motherland. (Xinhua) HomeNews 1999-09-30 Page1 Full Story in Chinese