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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, January 27, 2003

PD Editorial: Developing Cross-strait Ties, Promoting National Reunification

Eight years have passed since the publication of President Jiang Zemin's important speech entitled "Continuing to Strive for Promoting the Accomplishment of the Great Cause of Reunification of the Motherland". Under the new situation in which the whole nation has set off an upsurge of studying and implementing the spirit of the CPC 16th National Congress, we doubly feel the heavy responsibility incumbent upon us and have greater confidence in future development of cross-Strait relationship and the prospect for the peaceful reunification of the motherland.


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Eight years have passed since the publication of President Jiang Zemin's important speech entitled "Continuing to Strive for Promoting the Accomplishment of the Great Cause of Reunification of the Motherland". Under the new situation in which the whole nation has set off an upsurge of studying and implementing the spirit of the CPC 16th National Congress, when we look back on the unusual course traversed by cross-Strait relations over the past eight years and review the rich content and incisive exposition of President Jiang's important speech, we doubly feel the heavy responsibility incumbent upon us and have greater confidence in future development of cross-Strait relationship and the prospect for the peaceful reunification of the motherland.

Over the past eight years, changes have taken place in cross-Strait relations. The third-generation collective leadership of the Central Party Committee with Comrade Jiang Zemin at the core, having great foresight and correctly appraising the situation, has accurately grasped the internal and external situation, timely worked out important plans, led the Chinese people in gaining a series of major victories in the struggle against "Taiwan independence" and division of the country, actively boosted cross-Strait personnel contact and economic and cultural exchange to continue to develop in-depth, thus consolidating the basic pattern of cross-Strait relations and forcefully propelling the development of cross-Strait ties in the direction toward peaceful reunification. The development course of cross-Strait relations over the past eight years eloquently proves that President Jiang's eight-point proposal for developing cross-Strait relations at the present stage and expediting the process of peaceful reunification of the motherland grasps the essence of Comrade Deng Xiaoping's thought on "peaceful reunification, and one country, two systems" and more clearly displays the distinguishing features of the times characterized by keeping pace with the times, so it has strongly practical purposefulness and perspective, it is a programmatic document on work relating to Taiwan, it has exerted and will continue to exert important influence on the development of cross-Strait relations.

Adhering to the one-China principle is the core of the eight-point proposal. There is but one China in the world, both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to one China, China's sovereignty and territorial integrity are inalienable. This is at once the history and reality of cross-Strait relationship, as well as the greatest consensus of the Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Straits and a fact publicly recognized by the international community. When the one-China principle is acknowledged, cross-Strait negotiations can be immediately resumed, peace on the Taiwan Straits can be guaranteed, stable development of cross-Strait ties can develop steadily and at the same time, this will facilitate the maintenance of security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region; conversely, when the one-China principle is not recognized, cross-Strait dialogs will be delayed indefinitely, the situation on the Taiwan Straits will be become tense, cross-Strait relations will be harmed, in the end the Taiwan economy will be adversely affected and Taiwan compatriots will be hurt.

Whether or not Taiwan authorities can pragmatically recognize the "1992 Consensus" has currently become the key to resuming cross-Strait negotiation. The "1992 Consensus" is an objective existence, the crux of the matter lies in Taiwan authorities' subjective willing or unwilling recognition. The "1992 Consensus" embodies the political wisdom of the Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Straits in solving political differences by seeking common grounds while reserving differences and considering others in one's own place. This achievement was won by no means easy, and so should be treasured with double efforts. In the report to the CPC 16th National Congress, Comrade Jiang Zemin again put forward a series of new original proposals on the question regarding cross-Strait negotiation, providing a new opportunity for resuming cross-Strait dialogs and negotiations, fully demonstrating our greatest sincerity. It is hoped that Taiwan authorities will give an active response to this.

Realizing cross-Strait direct "three links of mail, trade and air and shipping services" is our consistent proposition. For many years, the Chinese mainland has exerted unremitting efforts for this and made many faceted preparations. Currently, millions of people on both sides of the Straits are traveling back and forth every year, cross-Strait trade volume is also counted by tens of billion US dollars, but the flow of personnel and materials still has to go a round-about way, this not only consumes the valuable time and expends huge amounts of money of the compatriots on the two sides of the Straits, but also seriously hinders the normal development of cross-Strait economic and trade relations. This extremely abnormal situation featuring the practice of rejecting what's near and seeking what is far away should be changed as soon as possible. Through promoting realization of direct "three links", the two sides can further explore good policies for the establishment of a cross-Strait economic cooperative mechanism and jointly seeking economic development. At present, the economic development of both sides is confronted with rare historic opportunities, and at the same time faces grim challenges. Such opportunities, once missed, will never come again. It is entirely necessary for compatriots of the two sides to support each other and cooperate hand in hand, to jointly create a new situation featuring mutual benefit and a win-win result for the economies of both sides.

To realize national reunification, we place our hopes on the Taiwan people. We sincerely hope that Taiwan compatriots can live in a stable and auspicious environment and will very soon overcome the difficulties encountered in their economic development, we also hope Taiwan compatriots can live and work in peace and happiness no matter which province they come from. Compatriots of both sides are as intimate as brothers and their blood is thicker than water, no attempt to sow discord can alienate us from our deep feeling shown for each other, and no force on earth can separate us from each other. "Taiwan independence" is the greatest threat to cross-Strait peace. Compatriots of both sides of the Straits should unite to oppose all forms of "Taiwan independence" plot to split the country and make common efforts to defend peace across the Taiwan Straits and maintain stability of the general situation relating to cross-Strait relations. In past years, compatriots of both sides have braved storms and shared hardships, maintained the blood vessels featuring the continuous life of the Chinese nation, written one brilliant chapter after another featuring the strenuous efforts to make the country strong. In the new historical period, the endeavors made by compatriots of both sides to strengthen exchange, enhance understanding and expand cooperation will make new contribution to opposing division, safeguarding unification and pushing forward cross-Strait relations.

As the saying goes, "Making plans for the year in spring". The Chinese mainland is presently rejoicing over its logical administration and harmonious people and all business is thriving, people of all ethnic groups, rallying closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Hu Jintao as the general secretary, are working hard for realization of the magnificent blueprint mapped out by the CPC 16th National Congress, the comprehensive construction of a well-off society and creation of a new phase in the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. We are convinced that through the joint efforts made by compatriots of both sides, the future of the motherland will be better, and the day for the reunification of the country and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will surely come at an early date!

By People's Daily Online


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