Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji reiterated the determination of the Chinese government to resolve the Taiwan issue as soon as possible following the successful return of Hong Kong and Macao to the motherland.

"At this occasion of reunion for millions of families, we miss our Taiwan compatriots more than ever," said Zhu at a meeting to greet the Chinese lunar new year -- the year of Dragon.

"After Hong Kong and Macao returned to the motherland, the sacred mission to resolve the Taiwan issue and completely reunite the motherland has become even more prominent for all the Chinese people," Zhu said at the Spring Festival gathering held in the Great Hall of the People.

"We will continue to do well all the work to develop the cross-strait relations and promote the peaceful reunification of the motherland in line with the principles of `one country, two systems' and the eight-point proposition put forward by President Jiang Zemin on the Taiwan issue," he said.

Zhu also reiterated that the central government will continue to support the governments of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region in governance according to law and maintain long-term prosperity and stability of the two regions.