Armed Forces: Important Guarantee for Containing Taiwan Independence

Safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity is the sacred mission entrusted by the State's Constitution to the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Whether in the past, at present or in the future, at the critical moment when China's territory was, is and will be endangered by the emergence of separation, the People's Liberation Army naturally steps forward bravely to safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity.

By Hu Fan, research fellow with the Strategic Research Institute of University for National Defense

Safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity is the sacred mission entrusted by the State's Constitution to the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Whether in the past, at present or in the future, at the critical moment when China's territory was, is and will be endangered by the emergence of separation, the People's Liberation Army naturally steps forward bravely to safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The "three ifs" as published in the White Paper can be described as the drastic measures to be adopted by us on the Taiwan issue, including the prerequisites and "cards in hand" of using armed forces. On the important issue relating to the reunification of the motherland we will never make any concession and compromise.

Under the present situation in Taiwan, to be well-prepared for military struggle in a down-to-earth manner represents the most effective support to be extended by the People's Liberation Army to the country's political and diplomatic struggles and combating separation.

Over the past half century since the founding of New China, the Chinese People's Liberation Army has always been waging unremitting struggles to contain the schemes for the "independence of Taiwan" and foil splitting attempts. For quite a long period of time after the founding of New China, the PLA has made solid and conscientious preparations for fulfilling the mission, known as "We are determined to liberate Taiwan". The outbreak of the "War to resist US aggression and aid Korea" put off the Chinese people's strategic plan for liberating Taiwan. After the end of the war, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese Government once again set forth the task for liberating Taiwan, firmly indicating that they would not recognize US military intervention and occupation of Taiwan. After the shelling of Jinmen (Quemoy) Islands, the two sides changed over to a long-term state of military confrontation. Pressed by the development of the situation, the Taiwan Authorities reduced the scale of their military actions, concentrating on the operation of Taiwan Island proper, waiting for a chance to make a counter-offensive against China's mainland but their scheme fell through.

From July 1995 to March 1996, under the unified arrangements of the Central Committee of the CPC and in light of the new situation featuring Lee Teng-hui's visit to the USA and the "general election" in Taiwan, the PLA decided to take resolute actions by conducting military exercises along the southeast coastal areas and the Taiwan Straits. This demonstrated the PLA's firm determination and ability to defend state sovereignty and territorial integrity, thus safeguarding the unification of our motherland.

The officers and soldiers of the whole army resolutely support the Chinese government's just stand on "peaceful reunification, but absolutely not promise to renounce the use of force", they are keeping a close watch on the movements of Lee Teng-hui and other elements plotting the "independence of Taiwan" and the development of the situation in the Taiwan Straits. Taking the will of the State and the nation as the supreme one, the army absolutely not sit and watch a single inch of territory to be separated from the motherland.

In strengthening preparations for military struggle, we must put future military struggles on the basic point of coping with armed intervention by external forces, being prepared to operate under the most difficult and complicated conditions. With the alteration of the old world pattern by the new, uncertain and unstable factors have increased, this has both brought about rare opportunities for China, and posed severe challenges to its security environment. As long as there exist hegemonism and power politics, there will be no genuinely lasting peace and tranquility. Only by basing ourselves on the most complicated and most difficulty circumstance and making full preparation for military struggles at a high standard and with good quality, is it possible to guarantee victory in a surprise attack when war erupts in the future.

Back to top
Copyright by People's Daily Online, All rights reserved