Shunning One-China Principle Is No Way OutA commentary released by Xinhua News Agency Thursday said that the Taiwan compatriots desire to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.These conditions are also necessary for social stability and economic development in Taiwan, the commentary said. The changes in Taiwan's political situation since mid-March have captured the attention of the compatriots across the Straits, overseas compatriots and international communities. Most of the people across the Taiwan Straits, especially the Taiwan compatriots, are looking forward to the improvement of the relations between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, and they expect the new Taiwan authorities to respond to their opposition to " Taiwan independence." But the acts of the new Taiwan authorities have disappointed the compatriots, for the new leaders in Taiwan are shunning the One-China principle and have denied the common understanding reached by the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and Taiwan's Strait Exchange Foundation (SEF). The new leaders of Taiwan claimed that they value the people's will, but they have ignored Taiwan compatriots' desire for direct shipping across the Straits and exchange of mail, trade, air and shipping services. Similarly, the comments by the Taiwan media about the "goodwill " and "sincerity" of the new Taiwan authorities to improve the relations across the Taiwan Straits are nothing but empty talk, the commentary noted. It said that the Chinese mainland has been working continuously to improve cross-Strait relations. Chinese President Jiang Zemin reiterated after the Taiwan election that "whoever comes to power in Taiwan, he is welcome to the mainland for talks, and we may also go to Taiwan." "But the One-China principle must first be recognized, and under this prerequisite, everything can be discussed," the commentary quoted Jiang as saying. A statement issued jointly by the Taiwan Work Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Taiwan Work Office of the State Council on May 20 also pointed out that as long as the Taiwan authorities make a clear commitment that it will not accept the "two states remarks," and that it will adhere to the consensus reached between ARATS and SEF in 1992," the mainland would like to authorize ARATS to contact and hold dialogues with organizations or persons authorized by the Taiwan side. The commentary said this attitude, which has not only made clear the firm position held by the Chinese mainland on the One- China principle, but also reflected the mainland's sincerity toward improving the relationship between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, has been warmly welcomed and praised by Taiwan compatriots. Resumption of contacts and negotiations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits is an important indicator of improved relations across the Straits. Sticking to the One-China principle is the touchstone for testing the sincerity of the new Taiwan authorities, it said. The contacts and negotiations between ARATS and SEF have always been conducted on the basis of the One-China principal, it said. The One-China principle also can be found in the Taiwan authorities' provisions and documents, and is not imposed unilaterally by the mainland. The new Taiwan authorities should show deference for the common consensus reached by ARATS and SEF and resume talks with the Chinese mainland within the One-China framework. The commentary called on the Taiwan authorities to "show respect for history and reality" and make a "positive" response to the call of the Chinese mainland for talks and peaceful reunification on the basis of the One-China principle. The inter-Korean summit between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Il and President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Kim Dae-jung in mid-June aroused world attention, it said. The historic handshake between the two leaders reflected the aspiration of the Korean people for national reunification. "If the new leader of Taiwan authorities claimed that he was ' deeply' moved by the inter-Korean summit, why does he, the leader of Taiwan, which is an inseparable part of China, dare not to even accept the One-China principle?" the commentary asked. It stressed that Taiwan's new leaders should consider the situation and conform to the historical trend of the times. Taiwan 's new leaders should abandon his separatist path and take the brighter road that leads to the peaceful reunification of the motherland. The commentary finally noted that the Taiwan issue can not be dragged on endlessly; shunning the One-China policy is no way out. |
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