Premier Zhu Rongji today said, " We will not sit idle by and watch any serious separatist activity aimed at undermining China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, such as those advocating the "two-state theory" or "the independence of Taiwan".

At the opening meeting of the Third Session of the Ninth National People's Congress NPC), the premier said that the return of Hong Kong and Macao to the motherland marks major progress toward the realization of the great cause of complete reunification of the motherland.

Zhu said, "We will continue to adhere to the principle of 'one country, two systems', support the governments of the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions in their efforts to govern in accordance with the law, and maintain the prosperity and stability of these two regions."

The recovery of Hong Kong and Macao has made the task of resolving the Taiwan question and realizing the complete reunification of the motherland even more outstanding as a sacred mission for the people of all ethnic groups in China, including our compatriots in Taiwan and overseas Chinese, he noted. He said, "We will, as always, keep to the basic principles of "peaceful reunification", "one country, two systems" and the eight- point proposal put forward by President Jiang Zemin, and continue to work hard to develop cross-straits relations and promote the peaceful reunification of the motherland.

Zhu reiterates that the One-China Principle is the foundation and prerequisite for peaceful reunification, noting that " on the basis of this principle, we are willing to conduct cross-straits dialogue and negotiations on any matter."

"We will continue to promote the exchange of visits of people in both directions and various cross-straits contacts, vigorously promote cross-straits economic and trade relations and conscientiously protect the legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots, including their legal rights and interests related to investment and business operation on the mainland," he said.

" We place our hopes on the Taiwan authorities and even more on the people of Taiwan. We are willing to continue working with the vast numbers of our Taiwan compatriots in developing cross-straits relations and achieving peaceful reunification of the motherland," he said.

The premier said the Chinese people are determined and absolutely capable to bring the Taiwan question to an early settlement and realize the great cause of reunification of the motherland.