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Vice-Premier Qian Meets Taiwan Visitors
Vice-Premier Qian Qichen Meets Taiwan Visitors
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Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen met with a delegation of the People First Party from Taiwan, headed by Liu Sung-fan, at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse Tuesday.
Qian, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, appreciated the consensus reached by the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and the People First Party on enhancing cross-straits economic cooperation and promoting direct links in mail, shipping and trade between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits.
Qian stated that the "one China" principle is the prerequisite and the basis for promoting cross-straits relations and peaceful reunification of the motherland. So long as the two sides accept the "one China" principle, can the two sides have a basis for dialogue and cooperation. Anything can be negotiated on an equal footing on this basis.
The state of one China is an objective reality rather than an issue imposed on Taiwan. For a long time, both sides of the Taiwan Straits had adhered to the "one China" principle. It turned out to be a problem only when Lee Teng-hui became engaged in splittism and the "Taiwan Independence" forces interfered, Qian said.
"We fully understand the misfortune suffered by Taiwan compatriots over the past century and respect their desire for being the master of their own house and their freedom to choose their way of life. We are willing to listen to the opinions and suggestions of Taiwan compatriots on developing cross-straits relations and advancing the process of peaceful reunification," he said.
People on both sides of the Taiwan Straits are Chinese. It is the general trend of development and the common aspiration of the people that the two sides must be reunified, he added.
The Chinese mainland wishes to continue negotiations on the "one China" principle on the suggestions raised by the People First Party and expects the PFC and other parties and organizations in Taiwan to make endeavors to improve the cross-straits relations on the "one China" principle, Qian stressed.
The PFC held a meeting with the ARATS in Beijing Tuesday. They reached a consensus on reopening dialogue between the ARATS and Taiwan's Strait Exchange Foundation (SEF), promoting bilateral trade, exchange of personnel and accelerating three direct links.
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