This is the commentary written by Zheng Yao commenting on Lee Teng-hui's article titled "Getting to Know Taiwan: Bridging Gap of Cognition". Following is the full text of this commentary:

Recently, Lee Teng-hui had his article published in US bimonthly American Diplomacy. In this article he once again peddles his so-called "special two-states theory" in the world, thus further laying bare his nature of betraying the nation and splitting the motherland.

This article of Lee Teng-hui was carefully created. According to Taiwan's media, this article has been prepared for several months, it is so far "a relatively systematic and representative special article" dealing with the "special two-states theory". Just well, as material for teaching by negative example, this "rare article should be read and appreciated together, doubtful points should be examined and analyzed together to get its real meanings". This article can help the world's people to have a clearer understanding of the real attempt of the "two-states theory" and of Lee Teng-hui's vicious intentions.

In this article, Lee Teng-hui expresses in an undisguised manner his splittist stance and harps on the same old tune, such as so-called "new Taiwanese", "China has become divided long before", "Beijing's threat of force", "separate government between the two sides of the Straits on an equal footing", and Taiwan "is a sovereign independent state", he complained that the international community failed to grant Taiwan "due international status" for "its economic prosperity and political democracy"; he clamored the international community should "bridge the gap of cognition" to allow Taiwan to play a "responsible international role". In going against the one China principle, obstinately clinging to his splittist stand and once again advertising his "two-states theory" or "special two-states theory" to the international community, his vicious intentions are to attempt to confuse the public and befuddle world opinion in a vain attempt to internationalize the Taiwan issue, draw certain international anti-China forces to take a hand in it and obstruct the historical process of China's solution of the Taiwan issue, thereby achieving his aim of separating Taiwan from China. But all these cannot save the "two-states theory" from its adversity.

The fact that Taiwan is a part of China has long been a verdict of the public opinion, the "two-states theory" jeopardizes regional stability and peace, this is the general common view of the international community. No matter how plausible Lee Teng-hui uses his tongue can hardly make the world opinion believe his deceptive remarks.

In his article, Lee Teng-hui noisily advocates his views, such as "Beijing, in fact, has never ruled Taiwan", and "China has become divided ever since the proclamation of the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949", this is utterly a disguised replacement of concept. There is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China, this is the basic historical fact, as well as the political and lawful reality of the two sides of the Straits. The history of the exercise of sovereignty over China by the government of the Republic of China has come to an end since October 1, 1949. In accordance with the internationally recognized government inheritance principle, the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government of the whole of China, and has since replaced the government of the Republic of China to represent China to exercise sovereignty over the whole of China, including Taiwan Province. Our struggle with the Taiwan authorities over the question of China's legal representation in the world has continued for more than two decades. Although the two sides of the Straits have not as yet been reunified today, the status of Taiwan as part of the Chinese territory has not changed, nor has China's possession of the sovereignty over Taiwan, and the two sides of the Straits remain, in reality, one China, and not "two countries" or "two special states" as trumpeted by Lee Teng-hui. Lee Teng-hui's distortion of history can only shows he has gone to the length of disregarding facts in order to go in for separation.

In his article Lee Teng-hui repeatedly claims that "Beijing declares Taiwan to be a treacherous province", this is a sheer lie with which he befuddles international opinion. The fact is in advocating the conduction of negotiation between the two sides under the consistent one China principle, the mainland of the motherland has never said the negotiation be conducted in the name of the central government over the local government, still less has it said "Taiwan is a treacherous province". This exactly is a "scarecrow" set up by Lee Teng-hui and his like. Whenever their splittist acts are seriously refuted by the Chinese people, they present a pitiable look in an attempt to win the sympathy of the world opinion.

Since Lee Teng-hui's "two-states theory" was dished out, it was unanimously condemned and violently attacked by the Chinese sons and daughters at home and overseas, the international community also sniff at this "troublemaker", and generally reiterate their stance of adhering to the one China policy. In the face of the strong pressure of world opinion, Lee Teng-hui, instead of repenting and mending his ways, has gone even further to adopt various quibbling and deceptive means in an attempt to mislead public opinion and throw dust in people's eyes; it is obvious that Lee Teng-hui betrays the one China principle and vainly attempts to fix the cross-Straits relationship with his "two-states theory", and yet he drivels that "there is not any change in the mainland policy" and "nor is there any change in the pursuit of future national reunification"; it is clear that the "two-states theory" dished up by Lee Teng-hui has thoroughly undermined the foundation for cross-Straits exchange and dialogs and obstructed Wang Daohan's visit to Taiwan, and yet he makes a deliberate gesture, hypocritically expresses his "hope that President Wang would visit Taiwan on schedule". In an effect to divert attention and cover up his ineffectiveness in providing quake disaster relief, he keeps on throwing sludge on the mainland of the motherland, fabricating rumors and taking advantage of every opportunity to hawk his "two-states theory". It is reported that Lee Teng-hui is supporting some people to create a so-called "basic law of Taiwan" in accordance with his "two-states theory". This is a very dangerous trend. Whether in the form of "amending constitution" or "revising law", or in the form of "enacting" a "basic law", the essence of the implementation of the "two-states theory" is trying to perpetually separate Taiwan from China. If his plot should succeed, it would make peaceful reunification impossible. We must keep high vigilance against this.

The fact that Lee Teng-hui continues to sell his "two-states theory" or "special state-to-state relationship" through the US American Diplomacy has again sounded the alarm to the Chinese at home and overseas: Lee Teng-hui presses ahead with his sinister designs to split China, he will go down the road of his "two-states theory" till the dark end, he will rack his brains to change tactics and obstinately push forward his separatist advocacy. Then, we also warn Lee Teng-hui sternly, as long as he does not give up his "two-states theory" of splitting China, the Chinese people's struggle against division and against the "independence of Taiwan" will not cease.