Wang Daohan, the president of the Association for Relations Across Taiwan Straits (ARATS), on the eve of the new century reiterated his hope for final reunification of Taiwan with the Chinese mainland.

In an article carried in the January issue of the monthly " Cross-Straits Relations," Wang expressed his wish as well as New Year's greetings to the Taiwan people, who suffered a devastating earthquake last September.

While reviewing the past century, the article said the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits have endured a wide range of hardships to achieve the nation's independence and

dignity.

But despite the remarkable prosperity and great progress achieved by the Chinese people, Wang said the painful reality of the separation is "a regret of the century."

The article urged the people on both sides to seriously consider, at the dawn of the new century, making a choice between separation and reunification, saying it is critical to the fundamental interests of the whole Chinese nation.

The effort to discuss the matter of peaceful reunification and "one country, two systems" with Taiwan was cut short by the "two states" remark made by Lee Teng-hui last July, even though Wang

was prepared for the visit to Taiwan in 1999.

"Still, I hope my wish to visit Taiwan will be fulfilled at early time after the barriers are cleared away," Wang said, adding that the foundation of the reunification has been laid as a result of well-developed non-governmental exchanges and increasing economic cooperation and cultural understanding.

Wang said he believes that the Taiwan compatriots can contribute to pushing forward the relations across the Straits for the sake of the Chinese nation, even though difficulties still

exist.

"Ten days ago, Macao, which has been separated from the motherland for some 400 years, returned. Now the Chinese people all over the world are looking forward to the early peaceful

reunification of the two sides of Taiwan Straits," the article said. (Xinhua)