Scholars with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) recently urged the new leader in Taiwan to accept the one China principle, abandon the stance on "Taiwan independence", and start talks on peaceful reunification with the mainland as early as possible.

At a symposium organized by the CASS, the scholars unanimously supported the recent remarks of President Jiang Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji on the Taiwan issue, and the statement the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council issued after Taiwan's election.

Lu Xiaoheng, deputy secretary-general of the Academic Exchanges Committee of the CASS, said that "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" are basic principles for the Chinese government in dealing with the Taiwan issue.

The one China principle is the basis and prerequisite for peaceful reunification, Lu said, and "Taiwan independence" in whatever form will never be allowed.

Zhang Haipeng, chief of the Institute of Modern Chinese History, said that only when the new leader in Taiwan accepts the one China principle can political talks and dialogue be carried out across the Taiwan Straits, and cross-Straits relations develop smoothly.

Yin Yungong, chief of the Institute of Journalism and Communication, appealed to Taiwan compatriots to join the people in the mainland to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the motherland, protect the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation, and realize the complete reunification of the motherland.

The scholars reiterated that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, saying that the election in Taiwan and its result can not change this fact.

In addition, all the participants suggested further research on perspectives and development of cross-Straits relations.