Premier Wen Jiabao said the Chinese
government's position on upholding the one-China principle "is rock
solid and defies all challenges," and the Chinese people "will not
sit by and do nothing when faced with provocative activities aimed
at splitting the motherland."
Wen made these remarks during an interview with Leonard Downie,
executive editor of the Washington Post of the United
States, in Beijing on Friday.
When Taiwanese authorities announce intentions to separate Taiwan
from Chinese territory, no Chinese citizen will agree to it, and
the people of China will pay any price to safeguard the unity of
the motherland, Wen said.
Wen said that the recent remarks and activities by Taiwan
authorities, especially their deliberate provocations on the
referendum and constitution issues, clearly show not only their
clinging to splittism ideologies but also their stepped-up efforts
aimed at Taiwan independence.
During the interview, Wen also questioned what intentions Taiwan's
leaders had for its future, and whether they wanted to maintain
peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.
He expressed the belief that these questions are of concern to
people on the Chinese mainland and to Taiwanese compatriots, as
well as the United States and the international community at
large.
The Chinese government's policy towards Taiwan is a clear-cut one.
It involves "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems,"
the premier said.
"We will not give up our efforts for a peaceful settlement of the
Taiwan question because it is in the fundamental interests of all
Chinese people, including Taiwanese compatriots. But we will not
sit by and do nothing when faced with provocative activities aimed
at splitting the motherland."
Wen reiterated China's sovereignty and territorial integrity would
brook no division, and that the position of the Chinese government
in upholding the one-China principle is rock solid and defies all
challenges.
The premier hoped the US government will recognize the gravity of
the provocative remarks and actions taken by Taiwanese leader Chen
Shui-bian, which could undermine the prospects for peaceful
reunification. He also hoped the US side would not send any
misleading signals to Taiwanese officials.
"We hope the US side will take practical measures that are
conducive to the maintenance of peace and stability in the Taiwan
Straits," he added.
The Taiwan question is the most important and sensitive issue in
the China-US relationship, said Wen, stressing that "the US side
must be very straightforward in adhering to the principles of the
three Sino-US joint communiques and in opposing Taiwan
independence."
He added that the US side must also be crystal clear in opposing
the use of a referendum, writing of a constitution or any other
tactics used by Chen in order to pursue his separatist
agenda.
Wen also said the US side must adhere to the principle of the
August 17 Sino-US communique and stop arms sales to Taiwan.
"This will fundamentally help maintain peace and stability in the
Taiwan Straits. It will also be conducive to the advancement of the
process of the peaceful reunification of China, and will be
fundamentally helpful to the maintenance of world peace and
stability," he said.
"We completely understand the desire of Taiwanese compatriots for
democracy, and we also understand their hopes for a peaceful
environment," the premier said.
"However, when the leadership of Taiwanese authorities wants to
separate Taiwan from Chinese territory, no Chinese citizen will
agree."
When answering questions about the trade problem between China and
the United States, Premier Wen said that the disputes that have
cropped up in bilateral trade and economic cooperation must be
handled properly for the further expansion of trade and the
development of economic cooperation between the two nations. When
addressing the trade imbalance between the two countries, Wen gave
a series of explanations on the matter.
"First, such a trade imbalance is to a great extent structural and
a result of shifting commercial relations," Wen said. "I will give
you one example. While the trade deficit that exists between China
and the US is going up, China's deficit in our trade with Asian
countries is also going up at the same time.
"In the first 10 months of this year, China's exports grew by 32
percent, but our imports grew by 40 percent.
"Second, if you look at our export structure, in actuality
Sino-foreign joint ventures or wholly foreign-owned enterprises
have contributed to 65 percent of our total exports and more than
half of our exports involve the processing of imported material or
parts, and the majority of profits actually go to the foreign
investors. These enterprises include US-invested enterprises in
China, such as Motorola and Wal-Mart.
"Third, what we sell to the US market are the products that US
consumers need, and Chinese products are affordable but of very
high quality. So our exports actually help stabilize the prices in
US markets and also satisfy the needs of consumers.
"Fourth, it is not China's aim to seek long-term and excessive
trade surpluses. Our aim in trade policy is to have a basic balance
between imports and exports. We are willing to open up our markets
to buy more from the United States and other countries, especially
high-tech products.
"Not so long ago, we sent a few purchasing missions to the United
States and they signed contracts worth billions of US dollars. That
demonstrates our sincerity. At the same time, we hope that the
United States will grant market economy status to China, lift
restrictions and open up its market.
When talking about the recent US decision to re-impose quotas on
Chinese textiles, Wen said that he and Chinese people as a whole
were shocked with the decision. This unilateral restrictive action
was taken without any prior discussion with the Chinese government,
and seriously hurt the feelings of the Chinese people. Wen also
questioned whether the US side had taken any heed of the response
from the international community in this matter. He added that such
a decision has in fact negatively affected the US market.
China's exchange rate was another significant issue stressed in the
interview.
Wen said the exchange rate of the currency should be set in
accordance to the conditions in the nation and the state of its
economic and financial sectors.
"I don't think the exchange rate of the renminbi is an important
contributor to the trade imbalance between China and the United
States. If there is any important contributor to the trade
imbalance, I think it is the abundant supply of competitive labor
in China's market."
(People's Daily November 24, 2003)