On October 10, Chen Shuibian published his so-called "October 10 (double 10) speech". Flaunting "peace" and "good intention", he declared that "preparation be made for further talks" by the two sides of the Straits with the "1992 Hong Kong talks as the basis", to seek "eternal peace across the Taiwan Straits". But the "speech", with "one country on each side" as the keynote, confuses and negates the "92 Consensus", viciously attacks the Chinese mainland, incites hostility between the two sides, insists on arms purchase and deliberately creates antagonism between the two sides, in essence, it is a public notice by which the Chen Shuibian authorities speed up the process of "desinicization" and pursue "Taiwan independence", as well as another serious provocation to cross-Strait peace and stability.

In his "October 10 speech", Chen Shuibian painstakingly preaches everywhere the status of "Taiwan as the mainstay" and the "identification of Taiwan independence". He declares, "The Republic of China is Taiwan, and Taiwan is the Republic of China", "Taiwan is a country which places sovereign right in the people and enjoys full freedom and human rights". What is more, Chen describes cross-Strait relations as "two-states relations" while denying the "92 Consensus". Chen avoids the "92 Consensus" by citing his so-called "92 Hong Kong talks", actually, he still negates the one-China principle, seeking "negotiation between one country and another one". He also clearly "defines" cross-Strait relations as the relations "between the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China, or between Taiwan and China". The so-called "cross-Strait code of conduct" mentioned in his "Octoer 10 speech" also follows the example of "the Norms of the South China Sea" signed between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in an attempt to change cross-Strait relations into "international relations".

Viewed from the series of Chen's words and actions taken since he took office in 2000, especially since he won re-election this year by despicable tricks, his "October 10 speech" is the continuation of his policy on "gradual Taiwan independence". Chen dished out his "one country on each side theory", vigorously engaged in the "rectification of the name of Taiwan", and the "abbreviated title of the country", pushed forward "enactment of constitution through referendum", Taiwan be allowed to become a normal, complete country". The "Legislative Yuan" ordered that all official documents call the mainland "China". And, in the organizational reform plan, abolished in a disguised way the Taiwan "Mainland Affairs Council", an independent department set up under the past one-China framework, established a "maritime committee" < which is an "indicative of a maritime state", in an attempt to clearly show that there is "no relationship between Taiwan and China".

In his "October 10 speech", Chen makes a gesture of relaxing cross-Strait relations and issues various sorts of "peace checks". Although Chen Shuibian authorities claim that they "deliver the best intention" and "extend well-wished olive branches" to the mainland, "promote normalization of cross-Strait relations", but a slight analysis will make it clear that the so-called "relaxation" and "best intention" are all deceitful talks. First, whether cross-Strait relations can be relaxed, and whether meetings between ARATS and SEF (ARATS is the abbreviated form of Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, and SEF stands for Straits Exchange Foundation) can be resumed, the key to which lies in whether or not Taiwan authorities accept one China, and acknowledge the "92 Consensus". However, Chen Shuibian refused to accept the one-China principle in the past, attacked the "92 Consensus"; the "October 10 speech" takes "one country on each side" as the keynote, avoids the "one-China" principle, and denies the "92 Consensus", given this, "the freezing state between the two sides of the Straits will continue, and any hope of thawing still can't be seen". It is impossible for the two sides to start dialogs between ARATS and SEF, all of Chen's proposals can only be pigeonholed". Second, Chen talked a lot about his intention to relax cross-Strait relations, but he did not adopt any practicable measures. Just as Taiwan media have pointed out, the "October 10 speech" is the pile-up of countless good intentions of the past", but it will finally be snapped by the need of the island's political operation and the language violence during the election period. Third, Chen's talks about cross-Strait ties are self-contradictory, changeable and self-negating, and his "October speech" is no exception. Chen viciously attacks the mainland, incites hostility, in a wild attempt to form a US-Japan-Taiwan alliance, depend on the United States and Japan to confront China, so his "good intention" and "relaxation" aim completely to befuddle public opinion.

Just as Lee Teng-hui cried about "reunification" for 180 times, but nobody believes that he really pursued "reunification"; Chen Shuibian cried about "four no's and one no question" (��will not declare independence, will not change the national title, will not push forth the inclusion of the so-called 'state-to-state' description in the Constitution, and will not promote a referendum to change the status quo in regard to the question of independence or unification. Furthermore, the abolition of the National Reunification Council or the National Reunification Guidelines will not be an issue), (the future one China", the "reunification theory", "establishing an interaction frame for cross-Strait peace and stability", but nobody believes that he would really boost cross-Strait peace. As to the "October 10 speech" which Taiwan authorities make a great fuss about, even the island media hold that this is only "playing with words" and "election language". Chen's speech evades the "one China", so it is impossible to fundamentally improve cross-Strait relations.

Taking advantage of the island public's "desire for peace and stability, and their longing for the time when "Taiwan people can hold up their heads", Chen Shuibian distorts the mainland's just action of attacking "Taiwan independence" and defending state sovereignty and territorial integrity into "terror activities" of "attacking and oppressing Taiwan", in an attempt to sow dissension in cross-Strait relations, and instigate hatred and hostility among the public toward the mainland.

Furthermore, Chen's speech is intended to create an atmosphere for the "Legislative Council" election to be held at the end of the year in order to wangle votes. The "justness and legality of Chen's election" is subject to queries and doubts, the government and the public in the island are in serious antagonism, disputes over arms purchase continues endlessly, the financial and economic situation is deteriorating, so it is still rather difficult for the Democratic Progressive Party to achieve the goal of "comprehensive administration" by winning over half of seats in the "Legislative Council" election at the end of this year. Through his "October 10 speech", Chen Shuibian who is good at creating political atmosphere and attracting the attention of media has, on the one hand, tried to consolidate "sure votes for Taiwan independence" with his "Taiwan independence" argument and, on the other hand, has tried to deceive, with a false impression of "relaxation", the majority of people, especially entrepreneurs, who hope for improvement of cross-Strait ties. With regard to this "Taiwan independence" declaration worked out under the cover of "relaxation", if the mainland makes response to his so-called "good intention", Chen would dress himself up as a "hero of bringing improvement in cross-Strait relations"; if the mainland ignores or exposes his "Taiwan independence" plot, Chen would put the blame on the mainland, alleging that "the mainland attacks and oppresses Taiwan".

In the meantime, Chen seeks a breakthrough in the arms purchase case. Due to opposition from various circles in the island, the possibility is slim for the 610.8 billion TWD worth of the arms purchase case put forward by Taiwan authorities to be hundred-percent passed, so in his "October 10 speech", Chen made an issue of cross-Strait military confrontation, uttering slander about "mainland threat", in order to find an excuse for the arms purchase case.

To put it briefly, the "October 10 speech" is a product of Chen's deepening his "one country on each side theory", which indicates that Chen Shuibian has no sincerity for promoting resumption of talks between ARATS and SEF, cross-Strait political deadlock can hardly be broken.

The article was published on page 6 of People's Daily (Overseas Edition) October 14, 2004 and translated by People's Daily Online