Refute Taiwan's "Three Principles for Dialog"

Our Daily Friday carries an editorial titled "'Three Principles for Dialog' is Two States Theory in Essence."

The article says that the problem of the status of the two sides of the Taiwan Straits in conducting dialogs, and the problem of peacefully resolving differences, are fundamental problems that must be resolved in developing cross-Straits relations.

As the new authorities in Taiwan are about to announce their future policies, there are some people in Taiwan advocating the " Two States Theory." Because of this, the editorial says, "It is necessary for us to clearly state our views."

"We maintain consistently achieving national reunification by conducting negotiations between the two sides of the Straits as equals. Under the one China principle, the two sides can undoubtedly find the proper means for conducting talks as equals," it says.

"Considering requests made by the Taiwan authorities that negotiations be conducted as equals, we have never used the term ' central to local government' as a term describing talks and negotiations between the two sides," it says.

In fact, since 1992, the talks and negotiations between the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits and the Taiwan- based Strait Exchange Foundation have been conducted on an equal basis, the editorial went on to say.

"We should say, conducting negotiations as equals is no problem, " the article points out.

While refusing to accept the one China principle, some people in Taiwan demanded that the mainland should recognize the equal status of Taiwan. This remark is actually Lee Teng-hui's "Two States Theory," it says.

The Taiwan issue is entirely China's internal affair, and the political differences between the two sides can be solved through dialogues within the framework of one China, it adds.

But some people in Taiwan suggest that disputes between the two sides be solved in accordance with the UN Charter, exposing their ulterior motives, the editorial says.

Peaceful solution to disputes called for by the UN Charter indicates relations between two countries, it notes, but Taiwan is not a sovereign state, and cross-Straits relations are not relations between two countries.

To apply the UN Charter to cross-Straits relations equals the advocacy of "Taiwan is an independent sovereign state" and the " Two-States Theory."

The "Two-States Theory" cannot bring peace to the Straits, but rather will provoke disputes and create a crisis in the Straits, it stresses.

Taiwan is a part of China and Taiwan has only one future -- reunification with the mainland, the editorial emphasizes, adding that this is a very clear and non-negotiable issue.

As a matter of fact, reunification has long been the policy of the Taiwan authorities, it notes.

In an official document of February 1991, the Taiwan authorities listed " national reunification" as its goal. But some Taiwan elements have tried to reject the reunification policy by putting forward suggestions such as "Taiwan's future is open-ended" and "cross-Straits dialogues should not set directions. "

Their real motive is to reject the idea that Taiwan is a part of China, the editorial points out.

It is the goal of the entire Chinese people to safeguard the unification of the country and oppose separation. Those who conflict with the trend of history and act against the people's welfare, will eventually be cast aside by all the people, including the Taiwanese people, says the editorial.

The editorial stresses that it is a fact recognized by the international community that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is a part of China. The government of the United States has announced time and again that it does not support the so- called " independence of Taiwan," "two Chinas," or "one China, one Taiwan," and that it does not support Taiwan's membership in any international organization which only sovereign states can join. The editorial says that in order to ensure that cross-Straits relations develop in a good direction, the Taiwan authorities must abandon separatist ideas such as the "Two States Theory," admit that Taiwan is a part of China, and no longer cause tensions or make new troubles for the cross-Straits relations.

Please visit People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/