Religious Groups Back Reunification

Tibetan Buddhists will fight separatists to promote peace and stability in China, said the director of the Chinese Advanced Tibetan Buddhism Institute.

"The collusion of some Tibetan separatists led by the Dalai Lama with those supporters of an independent Taiwan are strongly opposed by our Tibetan Buddhists," said Danjung Radnabazr.

Representatives from different religious groups held a forum yesterday to show support for the reunification of China and their opposition to any Taiwan independence.

"The most important thing for us now is to promote building a sound environment for the development of western China and achieve the complete reunification of our country," said Radnabazr.

Religious representatives criticized new Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian for his "vague and evasive" remarks on the one-China principle in his May 20 inauguration speech. They blamed him for lacking "sincerity and goodwill" for improving and developing cross-Straits ties.

Barat Rajap, deputy secretary general of the Islamic Association of China, said independent leanings among Taiwan authorities have brought cross-Straits ties to a dangerous point.

Zhang Jiyu, vice-president of the Taoist Association of China, urged the new Taiwan leader to follow historical trends, stop advocating secessionist views and return to the "one-China" principle.

Also yesterday, the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification and the Huangpu (formerly Whampoa) Military Academy Alumni Association voiced support for a government statement on cross-Straits ties.

Luo Haocai, a vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and chairman of the council, also criticized the new Taiwan leader for his stance on the one-China principle.

Lin Shangyuan, a vice-chairman of the alumni association, said that every Chinese has a duty to oppose separatism and Taiwan independence and make contributions to the reunification of the motherland.



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