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Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesman on Cross-Straits Relations
Zhang Mingqing, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office under the State Council, answered questions on cross-Straits relations in a conference held September 26 in Beijing.
Commenting on the "three-links" consensus reached on Taiwan's Economic Development Advisory Conference, Zhang says "We noticed that the people from all walks of life in Taiwan, including the business circle, called for an active opening of mainland-bound investment, and the opening of three links across the Taiwan Straits. The conference has reached a consensus on this issue.''
"It indicates that economic and trade co-operation between the two sides have become the internal need and future direction of Taiwan's economy,'' said Zhang.
Under the current situation, opening the three links is the most urgent thing to develop the cross-Straits relations, especially economic and trade relations, and Taiwan's businessmen will be the biggest beneficiaries, he said.
"But so far, no detailed measures have come out following the conference in Taiwan. The Taiwan authorities were still opposing some non-governmental agreements reached between Jinmen, Matsu on Taiwan side and Xiamen and Fuzhou on the mainland.''
When asked about the cross-Straits trade relations and the mainland's policy towards Taiwan businessmen, Zhang says according to GATT principle published in September 1992, Taiwan would join the WTO under the name of "China's Taipei" after the mainland's entry. It could be expected that the fourth WTO ministerial meeting, scheduled for Doha of Qatar in November, would formally agree to accept China as WTO member. Taiwan would join WTO after that, then the two sides are both WTO members. This will help to promote cross-Straits economic relations and create opportunities for an earlier realization of opening "three direct-links".
After WTO we will continue the policy of encouraging Taiwan investment in the mainland. The Taiwan side should actually cancel the "no haste, be patient" policy and other restrictions to expand its investment in the mainland and prosper economy of both sides.
Zhang also reiterates Beijing's unequivocal position that the reunification of Taiwan could not be postponed indefinitely.
Vice-premier Qian Qichen said in a speech not long ago that Beijing could wait patiently if the Taiwan authorities were willing to settle the Taiwan question using the one-China policy, Zhang noted.
He said Qian also noted that reunification is the Chinese people's sacred historic mission, and we stick to the principles of one-China, cross-Straits talks and an early realization of direct post, transport and trade links -- or "three links.''
Beijing insists that there is only one China in the world, the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are two parts of it. The sovereignty and territory of China cannot be divided.
By PD Online staff member Li Heng
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