The vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese
People's Political Consultative Conference, Tung
Chee Hwa, said recently the "eight-point proposal" on
developing cross-Straits relations addressed by then-president
Jiang Zemin in 1995 is the inheritance, development and perfection
of the principles of peaceful reunification and "one country, two
systems" initiated by Deng Xiaoping.
The "four-point guidelines" set forth by President Hu Jintao
last March on the development of cross-Straits relations under new
circumstances are the continuation and development of the central
government's policy toward Taiwan and a programmatic document
guiding the development of cross-Straits relations in the future,
Tung added.
On the occasion of the 11th anniversary of Jiang's speech
entitled "Continue to Promote the Reunification of the Motherland,"
Tung gave a joint interview to journalists of three central media
organizations stationed in Hong Kong -- the Xinhua News Agency,
People's Daily and CCTV. He talked freely about the
historic significance of Jiang's speech and the realistic
importance of guidance of Hu's address concerning the policy's
continuity, consistency and innovativeness.
He said Jiang's "eight-point proposal" has made it clear that
adhering to the one-China principle is the base and premise of
realizing peaceful reunification. Under this condition, any
problems can be talked.
He said the proposal has put forward the initial concept of
peace negotiation across the Straits, added a new meaning to
cross-Straits economic and cultural exchanges, and intensified the
thought of placing hope on the Taiwan people. It voices the popular
will among all the Chinese people to achieve reunification as early
as possible. In the 11 years, the speech has accelerated the
development of cross-Straits relations and consolidated the
consensus of all Chinese people throughout the world, including the
Taiwan people, on the country's reunification.
On Hu's "four-point guidelines," Tung said it reflects the
wisdom and thought of the new generation of the central leadership
on developing cross-Straits relations and promoting peaceful
reunification by judging the hour, sizing up the situation and
advancing along with the passage of time. It shows the mainland's
both steadfastness on principles and flexibility on specific
aspects.
Tung said the "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces within
the island are obviously unpopular for the present time. More and
more Taiwan compatriots earnestly hope the cross-Straits relations
could be developed in a peaceful, steady way, and that cooperation
and exchanges across the Straits could be expanded.
Tung said the great concept of "one country, two systems," which
was originally initiated by Deng Xiaoping to solve the Taiwan
issue, has been firstly implemented in Hong Kong and Macao. Its
successful implementation in the two places proves the concept is
scientific and practical, and has been acknowledged by the
international community.
Hong Kong has been playing a key role in bridging cross-Straits
relations, Tung said. Taiwan is Hong Kong's fourth largest trading
partner and fifth largest export market. It is also the fourth
major tourist destination for Hong Kong residents. Over 300 Taiwan
companies have set up regional headquarters or representative
offices in Hong Kong. More and more Taiwan enterprises choose Hong
Kong to go public and for financing. Visitor arrivals from Taiwan
to the Chinese mainland through Hong Kong or Macao have reached
nearly 40 million since 1988.
"I believe, with the peaceful and steady development of the
cross-Straits relations, relations between Hong Kong and Taiwan
will surely be deepened. Hong Kong will, undoubtedly, further play
its unique role in promoting economic integration across the
Straits and make contribution to the country's peaceful
reunification," Tung said.
While looking back on the breakthrough in cross-Straits
relations in 2005, Tung said Hu's "four-point guidelines" on the
development of cross-Straits relations under new circumstances is
of strategic significance and deep insight.
In the wake of the speech, Taiwan-based Kuomintang Party
Chairman Lien Chan visited the Chinese mainland at the invitation
of Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of China (CPC). Their official talks set a historic
milestone and left anew chapter in cooperation between the
Kuomintang and the CPC, which has a significant impact on the
development of the cross-Straits relations.
After that, the central government adopted a series of policies
in favor of Taiwan compatriots, which have been widely welcomed and
acclaimed by Taiwan people, Tung said.
During the year, the cross-Straits relations, under the guidance
of Hu's "four-point guidelines," are advancing in the direction
toward peace and stability. Tung said that both Jiang and Hu's
speeches on the Taiwan issue have placed the one-China principle
atop, and that this proves the principle, as the base and premise
of developing cross-Straits relations and achieving the country's
peaceful reunification, is consistent and will never change.
Tung concluded the interview by saying with emotion the Chinese
mainland people and the Taiwan people are bothers and sisters
sharing ties of blood. China is the common home for compatriots
across the Straits. Peaceful reunification is the common will of
the people across the Straits as well as all the Chinese people
throughout the world. It will be conducive to peace and development
in Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland, Asia and the world.
Tung quoted Hu as saying, "Whatever is beneficial to promoting
the country's peaceful reunification, we will try our best to do
it, and will do it well." It clearly shows the central authorities'
sincerity and determination to realize peaceful reunification of
the motherland, Tung said.
(Xinhua News Agency January 29, 2006)