This article is written by Yang Guoqing and published in the Special Column, "Commemorating Fifth Anniversary of Publication of President Jiang's Eight-Point Proposal", jointly set up by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the People's Daily. The article runs in full as follows:

Five years have elapsed since the publication of President Jiang Zemin's important speech entitled "Continuing to Fight for Promoting Accomplishment of Great Cause of Reunification of Motherland". Facts prove that President Jiang Zemin's eight-point proposal, made from a commanding height with great farsightedness, is an application and development of Deng Xiaoping's basic principles "peaceful reunification, one country, two systems" under the new situation and is a programmatic document guiding us to solve the Taiwan issue and realize the complete reunification of the motherland. At the time when the Spring Festival, the traditional joyous festival of the Chinese nation, is arriving, it is of great significance to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the publication of this important speech.

President Jiang's eight-point proposal was reasonably and realistically put forward, proceeding from the overall, fundamental interests of the Chinese nation and on the basis of giving full consideration to the vital interests of the Taiwan compatriots and respecting the past and present of Taiwan. It embodies the broad-mindedness and pragmatic spirit of the Chinese Communists, and so has received the wholehearted support and warm welcome from Chinese sons and daughters at home and abroad. As we look back to the course we have traversed over the past five years, we find that President Jiang Zemin's eight-point proposal has effectively safeguarded the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, guaranteed peace and stability of the situation in the Taiwan Straits and the Asia-Pacific region and enormously expedited the sound development of the cross-Strait relations and the historical process of the peaceful reunification of the motherland.

Over the past five years, the development of the cross-Strait relations has enabled us to see clearly that under the guidance of Deng Xiaoping's principles of "peaceful reunification, one country, two systems" and President Jiang Zemin's eight-point proposal, the cross-Strait relationship has experienced significant progress, economic and trade relations between the two sides of the Straits have become ever closer on the basis of mutual reciprocity and mutual benefit.

Along with the return of Hong Kong and Macao, the principle of "one country, two systems" is being understood and accepted by more and more people on Taiwan Island and across the world. However, during these five years, in the face of the historical trend of the peaceful reunification of the two sides of the Straits, a handful of people headed by Lee Teng-hui, obstinately clung to their separatist stand, have tried their utmost to sabotage the one China principle, attempted to obstruct the development trend of the cross-Strait relationship and undermine the peaceful reunification of the motherland.

It must be pointed out that the status of Taiwan as an inseparable part of Chinese territory admits of no change, the "two-state theory", which goes against the historical tide and seriously violates the fundamental interests of the Taiwan people, is doomed to failure, and the rolling wheel of history, signifying the trend that the two sides of the Strait will eventually march to reunification, is irresistible.

Today, as we review President Jiang Zemin's important speech and look forward to the development prospect of the cross-Strait relationship and the reunification of the motherland, we are filled with confidence. At present, the task of solving the Taiwan issue and realizing the complete reunification of the motherland has been historically, realistically and urgently placed before us. Man-made fences will definitely be demolished, compatriots between the two sides of the Straits will definitely be reunited. Every man has a share of responsibility for the reunification of the country. Chinese people at home and overseas should get united and make common efforts in the struggle for realizing the complete reunification of the motherland and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Taiwan Democratic Self-government League and All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, as the political party and mass organization of personages of Taiwan Province living in the mainland of the motherland, have always done their best and given play to their own advantages, striving to become bridge and bond for the Party and government to contact fellow townsmen inside and outside Taiwan Island, and to carry out the mainland's principle of pinning hopes on the Taiwan people. Over the past five years, we have had extensive contacts with fellow townsmen inside and outside Taiwan Island, warmly received thousands of Taiwan compatriots to come to the mainland for visiting relatives, tour, investment, doing business and studying, and helping them solve their difficult problems, safeguarding their legal rights and interests, thus deepening our friendly feeling as compatriots. We deeply realize that Taiwan compatriots with a glorious patriotic tradition are the basic force promoting the development of cross-Strait relationship and realizing the peaceful reunification of the motherland. We firmly believe that with the joint efforts of compatriots between the two sides of the Straits, the great goal for the realization of the peaceful reunification of the two sides can definitely be achieved and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will definitely come.