China's response to
Taiwan
President Chen Shui-bian's
inauguration speech
May 21st 2000, Beijing
One-China Principle Allows for No Evasion or Ambiguity: CommentaryAnybody who dares insist on splitting Taiwan from China, in spite of the warning from the Chinese government and people, must bear responsibility for all the serious consequences arising therefrom. The principle concerns China's reunification, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the Chinese government and people will make no concession on this major matter of principle. The new leader said that he will not declare "Taiwan Independence," nor push for "the constitutionalisation of the two- states remarks" or "a referendum on reunification vs. independence, " and that the abolition of the "National Reunification Council" and the "National Reunification Guidelines" will not be an issue. However, on the key issue of accepting the one-China principle, the new leader adopted an evasive and vague attitude, saying that one-China is an issue that will be dealt with "in the future." Evidently, his so-called goodwill reconciliation lacks sincerity. There are still unstable factors facing the development of relations across the Taiwan Straits. The statement on authorization, issued jointly on Saturday by the Taiwan Work Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, reiterates the government's stand on dealing with cross-Straits relations, representing the aspirations of the compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. One-China is both a political reality for the two sides and a fact in Chinese history, which has been widely recognized by the international community, including the United Nations. If the Taiwan leader does not recognize the One-China principle cross-Straits relations are unlikely to improve, and that will lead to conflict and a crisis will occur. The struggle against Taiwan separatist forces is one for either reunification or separation, absolutely not a battle over which political system is better. The guiding principle of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems", which is in the interests of all, is the best way for resolving the Taiwan issue, as has been proved in Hong Kong and Macao. Taiwan's new leader must recognize absolutely the one-China principle and the fact that Taiwan is part of China. Acceptance or rejection of the one-China principle is the touchstone to test whether one sincerely wants to improve cross- Straits relations. The mainland has repeatedly expressed its willingness to conduct dialogues, negotiations, and high-level visits between the two sides on the basis of the one-China principle. As long as the Taiwan authorities make a clear commitment that they will not accept the 'two-state theory,' and that they will adhere to the consensus reached between the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits and Taiwan's Strait Exchange Foundation in 1992 that 'the two sides of the Straits both adhere to the one-China Principle,' dialogue may be held between authorized organizations or individuals of the two sides. The Taiwan leader's straying from the one-China principle will put the Chinese people on guard against further promotion of Taiwan independence. China will do its best to achieve reunification peacefully; however, it is fully prepared to stop all separatist activities in the name of "Taiwan independence". President Chen Shui-bian's inauguration speech |
Taiwan page
Last updated 21 May 2000.
