New Zealand Premier Reaffirms One China Policy

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark reaffirmed Monday that her government will adhere to its "One China" policy and stressed that New Zealand will not encourage "Taiwan independence."

She made the statement in a meeting with the visiting alternate member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC), Zeng Qinghong.

During the meeting, Clark and Zeng had a cordial and friendly conversation on the issues of common concern. They reviewed the successful state visit to New Zealand made by Chinese President Jiang Zemin last September. During that visit, both China and New Zealand agreed to establish a long-term, stable and all-round relationship of cooperation oriented towards the 21st century. On the Taiwan issue, Zeng, who is also a member of the Secretariat and head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, stressed that the Chinese government has a consistent policy in solving the Taiwan issue, namely, there is only one China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory.

China, he added, has all along been working for a peaceful settlement of the Taiwan issue. Recently, both President Jiang and Premier Zhu Rongji made it clear that with the "One China" principle as its prerequisite, any problem can be discussed. Zeng noted that persisting in the "One China" policy and opposing any form of "Taiwan independence" will be conducive to the peaceful settlement of the Taiwan issue and to the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits as well as in the Asia-Pacific region and the world over.

The New Zealand Prime Minister agreed with Zeng on the Taiwan issue. She reiterated that her government will adhere to its "One China" policy and that her country will not encourage "Taiwan independence."

She said New Zealand is glad to see the all-round development in Hong Kong and Macao after their return to China. Zeng and his party arrived in New Zealand on March 25 at the invitation of the New Zealand government. The main purpose of Zeng 's visit is to study New Zealand's public servants system and its efforts in building a clean government.

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