One China Principle: Foundation and Prerequisite for Peaceful Reunification

Following is the full text of this article: On January 30, 1995, President Jiang Zemin published the important speech titled "Continue to Fight for Promoting Accomplishment of Great Cause of Reunification of Motherland".

In accordance with Comrade Deng Xiaoping's concept "peaceful reunification, and one country, two systems", President Jiang put forward an eight-point proposal for accelerating the process of the present-stage cross-Strait relationship and the peaceful reunification of the motherland, accurately grasping the internal and external situation facing solution of the Taiwan issue, giving full consideration to the immediate and long-term interests of compatriots in Taiwan. With great foresight, he pointed out that "the glorious and splendid day will certainly come" for the peaceful reunification of the motherland, and realistically set forth clear-cut propositions on the important questions arising in the process of cross-Strait relationship and reunification. Practice in the past five years fully shows that President Jiang's eight-point proposal is a powerful weapon for opposing forces plotting to split the motherland, and attacking the forces attempting to create the "independence of Taiwan", it is a banner for uniting the sons and daughters of China at home and overseas, who are longing earnestly for national rejuvenation, in the effort for the reunification of the motherland, and is a rational and pragmatic way for boosting the steady development of cross-Strait relationship.

President Jiang pointed out in his speech that the separating tendency has developed somewhat on Taiwan Island in recent years, certain foreign forces have further taken a hand in the Taiwan issue to interfere in China's internal affairs; but on the other hand, China will soon resume the exercise of its sovereignty over Hong Kong and Macao, it is time for the Chinese nation to accomplish the great cause of the reunification of the motherland and bring about comprehensive rejuvenation. "This offers an opportunity for Taiwan, as well as for the entire Chinese nation". The eight-point proposal was set forth in good time at such an historic moment, therefore, it has evoked strong repercussion among people on the two sides of the Straits and overseas Chinese and foreigners of Chinese origin, the international community also expected that the two sides of the Straits would take this opportunity to actively develop relations and would make their contributions to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. However, awed by the development of this situation, the separating forces on Taiwan Island have become more rampant in carrying out splitting activities in a vain attempt to hamper the cross-Strait relationship from advancing in the direction indicated in the eight-point proposal.

In accordance with the basic stand enunciated in President Jiang's eight-point proposal that any words and deeds to create 'independence of Taiwan' should be resolutely opposed", the mainland of the motherland has successively waged resolute struggles against splittism, against "independence of Taiwan" and against the "two-states theory", this fully demonstrates the determination and ability of mainland of the motherland to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and deals a heavy blow at the splitting activities carried out by the "independence of Taiwan" forces to create "two Chinas" in the world. Compatriots in Taiwan have further understood what harm the "independence of Taiwan" would do to their vital interests; the international community has also got a better understanding of the importance of abiding by the one China policy. After the crisis of the Taiwan Straits between 1995-96, leaders of China and the United States realized mutual visits, the two countries decided to make joint efforts to establish constructive strategic partnership, the United States reiterated its adherence to the one China policy, abiding by the principles set in the three Sino-US joint communiques, giving no support to the "independence of Taiwan", to Taiwan joining the United Nations and to the creation of "two Chinas", and "one China, one Taiwan". Under our stern criticism, the "two-states theory" has not only triggered new political struggles and conflicts on Taiwan Island, in the international arena it is all the more boycotted everywhere, more than 100 countries have reiterated their stand of adherence to the one China policy. At the general affairs meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nations last year, the five permanent members of the Council Security all made speeches for the first time opposing the activity of Taiwan to join the United Nations. Lee Teng-hui's "two-states theory" has made him a non grata "trouble maker" in the world. The practice of struggle against splittism and the "independence of Taiwan" indicates that the basic principles established in President Jiang's eight-point proposal are a powerful weapon for safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

While resolutely waging struggle against splittism and against the "independence of Taiwan", the mainland of the motherland, in line with the policy of "not allowing political differences to affect and interfere in the cross-Strait economic cooperation" as set in the eight-point proposal, continues to vigorously push forward the development of cross-Strait economic and trade relations as well as personnel exchanges in various fields. Cross-Strait economic ties have kept expanding in area and scale, and personnel contacts have increased annually, partial progress has been achieved in direct exchange of mail and air and shipping services, compatriots in Taiwan have voiced stronger demand for an early realization of three exchanges (exchange of mail, trade and air and shipping services). Industrial and commercial circles have made stronger appeal for changing the "replacing impatience with patience" policy implemented by the Taiwan authorities. Further progress has been witnessed in the trend of cross-Strait economic cooperation, mutual complementarity and mutual benefit.

On the occasion when we commemorate the fifth anniversary of the publication of President Jiang's eight-point proposal, the election of new local leaders is under way in Taiwan which is in the period of complex political evolution. As we review the tortuous course the cross-Strait relationship has traversed over the past five years, we find it necessary to stress the first point of the eight-point proposal: "Adhering to the one China principle" is the foundation and prerequisite" for the realization of peaceful reunification". Undermining the one China principle is undermining the foundation and prerequisite for peaceful reunification. At present, some political forces of Taiwan are still advertising "two Chinas" and the "independence of Taiwan", and have not abandoned their attempt to include the "two-states theory" into the "constitution" and "laws" and are still talking about deciding Taiwan's future through "referendum". The entire Chinese people absolutely will not stand idly by with regard to words and deeds aimed to split the motherland. The economy of the mainland of the motherland is developing, its overall national strength is being enhanced and its international status is rising, the dangerous statements and attempts on the island did not succeed in the past, does not succeed at present, and will never succeed in the future.

We are convinced that complete reunification of the motherland will definitely be realized.

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