The overseas Chinese world conference for promoting peaceful reunification of China opened in the capital city of Russia on Wednesday.

During the two-day event, over 600 Chinese delegates from some 60 countries and regions around the world will discuss the obstacles in the path of peaceful reunification of China and the way-out for the historic cause pursued by all Chinese people. 　　

Luo Haocai, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, reiterated at the opening ceremony the Chinese government's basic principles on peaceful reunification and especially the "one country, two systems" principle for settling the Taiwan issue.

Luo, who is also president of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification, emphasized that it is the Chinese government's persistent stand to resume dialogue between the two sides across the Taiwan Strait on the basis of the principle of "one China."

The Chinese government opposes activities of the Taiwan authorities aimed at splitting China, and firmly objects to any cabal of forces working for "independence of Taiwan", Luo noted.

Chairman of Taiwan's Strait Peaceful Reunification Association Liang Su-rong and Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government Elsie Leung also delivered speeches at the opening ceremony, calling for joint efforts by all Chinese compatriots for an earlier reunification of China.

(Xinhua News Agency September 11, 2003)