China's Anti-secession Law, of which the legislation procedures
has been recently set in motion, will uphold the basic policy of
"peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" and the
eight-point proposal made by former Chinese President Jiang Zemin
on the Taiwan question.
The remarks were made by Jia
Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese
People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)
and member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the
Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), at a
meeting held Friday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Comrade
Jiang Zemin's speech entitled "Continuing to endeavor for the
accomplishment of the grand cause of reunification of the
motherland" made on January 30, 1995.
The Anti-secession Law "will put in a codified form the policies
of our Party and Government over the past 20 years and more for a
peaceful solution to the Taiwan question, and embody China's
consistent position of utmost efforts and maximum sincerity for a
peaceful reunification," Jia said.
The Law will define the principles and guidelines on the
settlement of the Taiwan question, such as measures to encourage
and facilitate personnel, economic and cultural exchanges,
including direct trade, mail, and air and shipping services, while
protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the Taiwan
compatriots, and such as steps to facilitate cross-Straits
consultation and negotiations, including on the basis of the one
China principle, any subject can be put on table, according to
Jia.
In the meantime, the Anti-secession Law will demonstrate the
common will of the entire Chinese people to maintain China's
sovereignty and territorial integrity by resisting attempted
secession of Taiwan from China under any name and by any means, Jia
added.
The Law is designed to promote cross-Straits relations and the
prospect of a peaceful reunification, to safeguard China's
sovereignty and territorial integrity, to oppose and check Taiwan's
secession from China, to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan
Straits, and to advance the fundamental interests of the Chinese
nation on the whole, Jia noted.
Backgrounder: Jiang Zemin's speech on reunification of
motherland
On Jan. 30 of 1995, Jiang Zemin, the then General Secretary of
the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and
Chinese President, delivered an important speech entitled "Continue
to Promote the Reunification of the Motherland".
In the speech, Jiang stated eight-point proposal on some
important questions that have a bearing on the development of the
relations between the two sides across the Taiwan Straits and the
promotion of the peaceful reunification of the motherland. The
proposal includes:
Firstly, adherence to the principle of one China is the basis
and premise for peaceful reunification. China's sovereignty and
territory must never be allowed to suffer split. We must firmly
oppose any words or actions aimed at creating an "independent
Taiwan" and the propositions which are in contravention of the
principle of one China.
Secondly, We do not challenge the development of
non-governmental economic and cultural ties by Taiwan with other
countries. However, we oppose Taiwan's activities in "expanding its
living space internationally" which are aimed at creating "two
Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan". Only after the peaceful
reunification is accomplished can the Taiwan compatriots and other
Chinese people of all ethnic groups truly and fully share the
dignity and honor attained by our great motherland
internationally.
Thirdly, to hold negotiations between the two sides on the
peaceful reunification of the motherland. Representatives from the
various political parties and mass organizations on both sides of
the Taiwan Straits can be invited to participate in such talks. On
the premise that there is only one China, we are prepared to talk
about any matter, including all matters of concern to the Taiwan
authorities. As the first step, negotiations should be held and an
agreement reached on officially ending the state of hostility
between the two sides. On this basis, the two sides should
undertake jointly to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial
integrity and map out plans for the future development of their
relations.
Fourthly, We should strive for the peaceful reunification of the
motherland since Chinese should not fight fellow Chinese. Our not
undertaking to give up the use of force is not directed against our
compatriots in Taiwan but against the schemes of foreign forces to
interfere with China's reunification and to bring about the
"independence of Taiwan".
Fifthly, Great efforts should be made to expand the economic
exchanges and cooperation between the two sides of the Taiwan
Straits so as to achieve prosperity on both sides to the benefit of
the entire Chinese nation. We hold that political differences
should not affect or interfere with the economic cooperation
between the two sides. We are in favor of conducting the kind of
negotiations on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit and
signing non-governmental agreements on the protection of the rights
and interests of industrialists and businessmen from Taiwan.
Whatever the circumstances may be, we shall safeguard the
legitimate rights and interests of industrialists and businessmen
from Taiwan.
Sixthly, The splendid culture of Chinese nation has become ties
keeping the entire Chinese people close at heart and constitutes an
important basis for the peaceful reunification of the motherland.
People on both sides of the Taiwan Straits should inherit and carry
forward the fine traditions of the Chinese culture.
Seventhly, We should fully respect the life style of the
compatriots in Taiwan and their wish to be the masters of our
country and protect all their legitimate rights and interests. The
relevant departments of our party and the government including the
agencies stationed abroad should strengthen close ties with
compatriots from Taiwan, listen to their views and demands, be
concerned with and take into account their interest and make every
effort to help them solve their problems. All parties and
personages of all circles in Taiwan are welcome to exchange views
with us on relations between the two sides and on peaceful
reunification and are also welcome to pay a visit and tour
places.
Eighthly, Leaders of the Taiwan authorities are welcome to pay
visits in appropriate capacities. We are also ready to accept
invitations from the Taiwan side to visit Taiwan. We can discuss
state affairs, or exchange ideas on certain questions first. The
affairs of Chinese people should be handled by ourselves, something
that does not take an international occasion to accomplish.
The speech, both inheritance and development of Deng Xiaoping's
concept of "one country, two systems", has demonstrated the CPC and
Chinese government's resolution and sincerity to unite compatriots
from both sides of the Straits and to promote the peaceful
reunification of the motherland.
It is regarded as a creed bearing both historical and practical
directive meanings for developing the cross-Straits relations and
propelling the reunification cause.
Jiang made the speech at a tea party jointly sponsored by seven
departments in charge of affairs related to Taiwan and
reunification of China.
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(Xinhua News Agency January 29, 2005)
