Symposium on Promoting China's Reunification Opens in ShenzhenMore than 200 noted figures from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Wednesday gathered in Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province to express their sincere wish for China's reunification.At a symposium titled "Anti-Taiwan Independence and Promoting China's Reunification," Zhang Kehui, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), urged the new leader of Taiwan to go with the tide of historical development and make the correct choice on the cardinal issue of China's reunification. Zhang, also chairman of the Central Committee of Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, said that in recent days the newly elected Taiwan leader made some positive gestures on some specific questions on relaxing and developing relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits. However, he noted, the essential question is whether he will recognize or not recognize the one China principle and the fact that Taiwan is part of China. If the question is denied, that represents splitting China's sovereignty and the integrity of China's territory and the Chinese nation. In that case, the basis and precondition for China's peaceful reunification will not exist, and war between the two sides will be unavoidable, he said. Zhang stressed that only if Taiwan's new leader recognizes the one China principle and that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory can all questions be negotiated. He said that it is time to end the separation of the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, and called on all people on the two sides to unite and oppose the attempts of a small number of elements to secure "Taiwan Independence," and to contribute to the reunification of China. Yang Guoqing, president of the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, said that up to now Taiwan's new leader has not expressed his attitude on the important one China principle. Yang called on all parties and associations in Taiwan to urge Taiwan's future authorities to place Taiwan's peace, stability, and development on top of the agenda. Wang Jinping, vice-chairman of the Taiwan-based China Reunification League, said that fighting against "Taiwan Independence" is the source of the strength of the people across the straits. He said that only by insisting on the one China principle will there be peaceful reunification. He called on people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to make unremitting efforts for China's reunification. More than 140 people from Taiwan attended the two-day symposium organized by the China Reunification League, the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification, the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, and the Association for the Relations Across the Taiwan Straits. |
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