In another week, China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Macao, signaling an end to the history of foreigners occupying and ruling part of Chinese territory and western colonial rule in Asia.

Macao's return to China has been hailed as a milestone in the process of China's reunification, which is expected to be completed with the reunification of Taiwan with its motherland.

Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan have always been Chinese territory. Reunification of the motherland, therefore, remains a common wish of all Chinese people including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan compatriots.

In China's modern history, its people were preoccupied with " saving the country." With the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Hong Kong and Macao questions were finally put on the government agenda in the late 1970s and their settlement was listed as one of the three principal government tasks in the 1980s.

Deng Xiaoping, chief architect of China's reform and opening-up drive, put forward the concept of "one country, two systems" in the early 1980s as a way to resolve the Taiwan question. It is a creative principle for resolving international disputes left over from history.

The concept was first applied to resolving the Hong Kong issue. With the joint efforts of the Chinese and British governments, the prosperous city, which had been ruled by the British for over 150 years, returned to the embrace of its motherland on July 1, 1997.

Great successes have been achieved in the implementation of the concept of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong during the past two and a half years: Hong Kong has cemented its status as an international financial center by successfully fending off the impact of the Asian Financial Crisis; Hong Kong people, as masters of their own land, have fully enjoyed democratic rights.

While their old lifestyle has remained unchanged after Hong Kong's return, the Hong Kong people have been able to feel the warmth of the embrace of the motherland and pride from being Chinese under the framework of "one country, two systems."

Successful implementation of the concept represents a good precedent for a smooth return of Macao to China. The Sino- Portuguese Joint Liaison Group (JLG) has held a total of 37 plenary sessions and 56 rounds of talks between the chief representatives of both sides during its 12-year existence, and the MSAR Preparatory Committee held 11 plenums and more than 50 group meetings in one and a half years. All these meetings have paved the way for the return of Macao, a second step in China's reunification.

China has been unified several times in history, all by force. Settlement of the Hong Kong and Macao questions by peaceful means, therefore, has been hailed by the international community as " pioneering and creative work" and "a great contribution." People familiar with the political situation in China, however, won't forget that the concept of "one country, two systems" was initially put forward to resolve the Taiwan issue.

The focus of attention,therefore, is naturally shifted to Taiwan. Chinese leaders have pledged on many occasions that the Taiwan question cannot be delayed indefinitely.

Chinese decision makers hold the concept of "one country, two systems" as a feasible and viable means to resolve the Taiwan issue since it takes into consideration and respects the present and long-term interests of the Taiwan compatriots and allows their wish for peace, security and maintenance of the status quo to be fulfilled.

If Taiwan is reunified with its motherland, more flexible policies than those applied in Hong Kong and Macao will be implemented there. For instance, it may maintain its own armed forces.

With the successful implementation of the concept of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong and Macao, more and more Taiwan compatriots are expected to endorse the principle.

It is public knowledge that the Taiwan question falls into the category of internal affairs of China and has nothing to do with any foreign government as Hong Kong and Macao issues did. On the Taiwan question, Chinese leaders have stated that everything could be put forward onto the negotiation table under the principle of " One China."

Lee Tenghui's characterization of relations across the Taiwan Straits as being of a "special state-to-state" type has met with unanimous opposition from all Chinese people including Taiwan compatriots. It is "a traitor's theory,"people say.

Observers say the political disagreement across the Taiwan Straits is not an argument over social systems. Rather, it is a struggle over whether or not China is to be splitted up and whether or not China's national interests should be safeguarded. History has provided ample evidence that any person who should challenge national unity and go against the "one China" principle will meet with an ignominious end.

To end the history of Taiwan being separated from the mainland, numerous civil groups and organizations devoted to China's reunification have emerged on both sides of the Straits.

A complete reunification will instill new life into the Taiwan economy and allow the Taiwan people to enjoy honor and pride from being part of a great nation.

National unity has always remained an unchanging mainstream in Chinese history. As China's president Jiang Zemin stressed at a rally celebrating the 50th anniversary of the People's Republic of China on October 1, China will achieve a complete reunification by adhering to the principle of "peaceful reunification, one country and two systems".

A complete reunification of China and maintenance of national security is a fundamental basis for rejuvenating the Chinese nation and a firm wish of the entire Chinese people, he said.

With the return of Hong Kong and Macao to China, the Chinese people now place high hopes on resolving the Taiwan question and realizing a complete reunification of their country.