Stepping Up Preparatory Work for Early Solution of Taiwan Issue

At present, Hong Kong and Macao have returned to the motherland without a hitch, solving the Taiwan issue has been most realistically placed before us.

An early solution of the Taiwan issue coupled with the realization of the complete reunification of the motherland is the tide, the trend and the great justice, reason and benefit of the country and nation. As early as 1979, the Chinese government had openly proclaimed adoption of the principle "peaceful reunification, one country, two systems" toward Taiwan, in an effort for the realization of peaceful reunification. The Eight proposals put forward by President Jiang Zemin for developing cross-Straits relationship and expediting the process of peaceful reunification of the motherland are clear-cut and consistent; the Government Work Report made by Premier Zhu Rongji at the Third Session of the Ninth national People's Congress (NPC) further expounds our firm stand on solving the Taiwan issue. Our government's stand is consistent, firm and unshakable. An early solution of the Taiwan question is the common wish and strong demand of the people of all nationalities of the country, including people in Taiwan. We should judge the hour and size up the situation, and step up the preparatory work for an early solution of the Taiwan issue.

After Lee Teng-hui dished out his "two-states statement" last July, we immediately launched a resolute struggle against his "two-states statement". Over the past few months, our struggle has been crowned with many-sided achievements. At present, this struggle is still going on. Our struggle against the separatist forces headed by Lee Teng-hui is expressed in a concentrated form on the question of whether to uphold the one China principle or to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan". Recently, we published the White Paper, "The One China Principle and the Taiwan Issue", further explaining our basic stand of principle on one China to the international community and, at the same time, to the society of Taiwan.

Our principle for solving the Taiwan issue is "peaceful reunification, one country, two systems". Based on a political and strategic consideration, we have stated that there should be a timetable for resolving the Taiwan question which cannot be postponed indefinitely. The "two-states statement" dished out by Lee Teng-hui is the natural outcome of his activities carried out to split the motherland over the past decade, it is impossible that he would take back his statement. The US strategic intention to contain China by exploiting the Taiwan issue will not change. We hope the US government will abide by the three Sino-US joint communiques and fulfill its "three-no support" promise. We firmly oppose US acts of accepting Taiwan into the TMD system, providing more advanced weapons to Taiwan or helping Taiwan manufacture lethal weapons on a large scale. We should earnestly intensify our efforts of doing work with Taiwan people and do a good job in winning their hearts, this is of important significance for the final solution of the Taiwan issue.

The Taiwan authorities headed by Lee Teng-hui have gone farther and farther down the road of separation. The Taiwan authorities are purchasing and developing large amounts of various types of advanced weapons and equipment, sparing no financial resources to develop armament. The Taiwan authorities are doing these in an attempt to permanently resist reunification, awaiting an opportunity to go in for "independence". We should step up study and base ourselves on coping with any complicated situation and making a comprehensive analysis of various possible problems and their consequences, to ensure that we take precaution beforehand.

The Taiwan issue cannot be postponed sine die. "Taiwan independence" and separatist forces as well as foreign anti-China forces hope that the Taiwan question can be postponed indefinitely. This is intolerable to us. The "one country, two systems" principle has been put into successful practices in Hong Kong and Macao and is completely applicable to solving the Taiwan issue. The use of the "one country, two systems" to solve the Taiwan issue will only bring benefits for the Taiwan compatriots. The fact that the Taiwan authorities oppose the "one country, two systems" under various pretexts is, in essence, opposing the reunification of the motherland. We warn the "Taiwan independence" forces seriously that advertising independence and creating division in any name and by any method are crimes committed against the motherland and nation and are dangerous acts of playing with fire. We will absolutely not be vague or make concession on major matters of principle that concern national dignity, State sovereignty and people's interests. We will absolutely not sit watching any serious, separatist activities, such as implementation of the "two-states statement" and pursuance of "Taiwan independence", that harm China's sovereignty and territorial integrity..

If the "Taiwan independence" forces insist on separating Taiwan from the motherland, we will adopt drastic measures to defend State sovereignty and territorial integrity. "Taiwan independence" implies war, and separatism means that there will be no peace. The Chinese people are determined and fully capable of solving the Taiwan issue and accomplishing the great cause of the reunification of the motherland at an early date.

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