H.E. on legislation on opposing activities aimed at national splittism by the "Taiwan Independence" forces
Press Release
H.E. Mr. Zhang Jiuhuan, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Thailand holds a press briefing, stating China's Principles and stand regarding the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress will soon call a meeting to deliberate a draft legislation on opposing activities aimed at national splittism by the "Taiwan Independence" forces.
(Saturday, 18 December 2004)
The embassy of the People's Republic of China gives a press conference at 11:00 am on December 18. Chinese ambassador Mr. Zhang Jiuhuan states China's principles and stand regarding the fact that the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress will soon call a meeting to deliberate a draft legislation on opposing activities aimed at national splittism by the "Taiwan Independence" forces.
Ambassador Zhang Jiuhuan introduces the historical origin and status quo of Taiwan question. He says that there is but one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. This is a fact supported by both the history and reality of Taiwan. The fact has also been widely recognized and respected in the international community and the United Nations.
The Taiwan question is a legacy of the Chinese civil war of the late 1940s, and it is an internal affair of China. Resolving the Taiwan question and achieving a complete reunification of the country involves China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, touches the national sentiment and dignity of the Chinese people, and bears on the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation. The Chinese Government has worked long and hard to fulfill this sacred mission. From 1979 onwards, the Chinese Government has pursued the policy of peaceful settlement of the Taiwan question in an effort to achieve a peaceful reunification under the formula of "one country, two systems". Both the policy itself and what we have done over the past twenty years and more stand testimony to our utmost sincerity and goodwill.
Since the early 1990s however, the pro-independence forces in Taiwan, who were bent on dismembering China in total disregard of the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation as well as peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, have refused to recognize the one-China principle and continuously carried out separatist activities for "Taiwan independence", "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan". What is more, these pro-independence forces have become even more unbridled in their pursuit of an incremental independence agenda since 2000. In particular, they are resorting to so-called "legal" means such as "referendum" or "constitutional reengineering" to promote separatism with an aim to provide a so-called "legal" backup for what they claim as "Taiwan being a sovereign and independent country" as well as their actions towards an "independent" Taiwan. The rise of "Taiwan independence" forces and their separatist activities have put the prospects for peaceful reunification in serious jeopardy, posed a severe threat to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and gravely undermined the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation. They are the biggest stumbling block to the growth of cross-Straits relations and the biggest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and the Asia-Pacific region as a whole.
Ambassador Zhang points out that the misdeeds of the pro-independence forces in Taiwan have aroused the righteous indignation of the 1.3 billion Chinese people. Citizens, pubic figures representing various social sectors, and overseas Chinese communities are all calling for legal means to oppose and contain the "Taiwan independence" forces and to promote the process of China's peaceful reunification.
Ambassador Zhang says that the position of the Chinese Government on the Taiwan question has been clear-cut. We will continue to follow our basic policy of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems", and we are willing to make every possible effort with the utmost sincerity to achieve peaceful reunification. National reunification achieved through peaceful means serves peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, contributes to economic and social development on both sides and promotes unity among the compatriots on both sides. This is what people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits truly desire. We will continue to push for cross-Straits consultation and negotiation on the basis of the one-China principle, and anything can be put on the table. Cross-Straits dialogue and negotiation can resume right away so long as the Taiwan authorities recognize the "1992 Consensus", which embodies the one-China principle. We will continue to encourage and facilitate cross-Straits personnel exchanges, economic cooperation, "three direct links" and scientific and cultural interactions while protecting the legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots in accordance with law. As long as there remains a glimmer of hope, we will not forgo our efforts for peace. But we will never allow anyone to cut off Taiwan from the rest of China by any means.
In order to ensure the prospects of peaceful reunification between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, uphold China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and contain the separatist activities of "Taiwan independence", our highest organ of state power will give expression to the common will of the Chinese people in the form of a special legislation.
Ambassador stresses that the purpose of the legislation is to uphold the basic policy of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems", safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, oppose national splilttism by the pro-independence forces in Taiwan, strive for complete national reunification and maintain the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation. It will set forth, in a codified form, the principles, propositions and measures of the state on the settlement of the Taiwan question and the achievement of China's complete reunification. It will give full expression to the Chinese people's readiness to strive for a peaceful settlement of the Taiwan question and complete national reunification with utmost sincerity and maximum efforts. At the same time, it will give full expression to the strong resolve of the Chinese people of never allowing the "Taiwan independence" forces to cut off Taiwan from the rest of China under any name or by any means. The legislation, we believe, will help the stability and growth of cross-Straits relations and contribute to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and the Asia-Pacific region as a whole.
Ambassador Zhang appreciates the Thai Government's adherence to one-China policy. He expresses his conviction that the Thai Government and people will as always understand and support Chinese Government and people for what we have done to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and the Asia-Pacific region and strive for peaceful reunification, and join us in checking and containing the dangerous activities of the pro-independence forces in Taiwan and ensuring a stable Taiwan Straits and a peaceful Asia-Pacific.