Taiwan Issue Certain to Be Resolved: Qian Qichen

Vice-Premier Qian Qichen said on Tuesday that with the joint efforts of the people across the Taiwan Straits, Taiwan issue is certain to be resolved.

During a panel meeting of National People's Congress (NPC) deputies from Taiwan at the on-going 3rd session of the 9th NPC, Vice-Premier Qian said Hong Kong and Macao's successive returns to the motherland represent a decisive step China has taken toward its reunification.

"The task for the settlement of Taiwan issue and accomplishment of the country's reunification have been placed predominantly before all us Chinese people," he said.

Last year, Lee Teng-hui cooked up "two-states" theory, Qian said, which has ignited resentment and utmost indignation from among all the Chinese people.

The people all over the country have since flung themselves into a drive to resolutely oppose the splittism and oppose Taiwan Independence, he said. And they have defended "one-China" principle and meted out a heavy blow to splittist forces.

The white paper "the One-China Principle and Taiwan Issue," which had been issued in late February, reiterated China's consistent stance on the settlement of Taiwan issue and it has evoked wide repercussions from both at home and abroad, he said.

Noting that China's position on opposing the infinitely dragging of Taiwan issue has been consistent, Qian said the forces of "Taiwan independence" and separatist forces, and foreign anti-China forces hope that the Taiwan issue will drag on infinitely and this is the thing we will never allow.

The principle of "one county, two systems," which has successfully been put into practice in Hong Kong and Macao, is applicable to the settlement of Taiwan issue, and the use of this principle in resolving Taiwan issue will definitely do good to Taiwan compatriots, he said. The pretext of Taiwan authorities in opposing this concept, in essence, is in opposition to reunification.

"Taiwan compatriots have a glorious tradition of patriotism, and we sincerely place our hope on the people of Taiwan," he said, adding that "on the issues that concern state sovereignty and territorial integrity, the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation and Taiwan's future and destiny, the people of Taiwan will certainly make the correct choices."

During the panel discussion, the NPC deputies from Taiwan said they feel a sense of urgency for the settling Taiwan issue as well as their unanimous support to the principled position of the Chinese government regarding the issue.

Tuesday afternoon, Qian Qichen also joined delegations of NPC deputies from Hong Kong and Macao in their panel discussions. He reaffirmed in his speeches the consistent position of the Chinese government in resolving the Taiwan issue in compliance with the principle of "peaceful reunification", and "one country, two systems".

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