Chinese President Hu Jintao set forth a four-point guideline on cross-Straits relations under the new circumstances, while attending a joint panel discussion of China's CPPCC members representing the Taiwan region Friday afternoon. The guideline is as follows:

First, never sway in adhering to the one-China principle

Adherence to the one-China principle serves as the cornerstone for developing cross-Straits relations and realizing peaceful reunification of the motherland. Although the mainland and Taiwan are not yet reunified, the fact that the two sides belong to one and the same China has remained unchanged since 1949. This is the status quo of cross-Straits relations. This is not only our stand, but also what can be found in the existing regulations and documents in Taiwan. Since Taiwan and the mainland belong to one and the same China, there shall be no such question as who annexes whom between the mainland and Taiwan.

The sticking point in the current development of cross-Straits relations lies in the fact that the Taiwan authorities have refused to recognize the one-China principle and the "1992 Consensus" which embodies this principle. Whoever started the trouble should end it. Dialogues and talks between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits can be resumed immediately, and can be carried out on whatever topics and issues, as long as the Taiwan authorities acknowledge the "1992 Consensus." The two sides can not only talk about the official conclusion of the state of hostility, the establishment of military mutual trust, the Taiwan region's room of international operation compatible with its status, the political status of the Taiwan authorities and the framework for peaceful and stable development of cross-Straits relations, which we have proposed, but also talk about all the issues that need to be resolved in the process of realizing peaceful reunification.

We welcome the efforts made by any individuals or any political parties in Taiwan toward the direction of recognizing the one-China principle. No matter who he is and which political party it is, and no matter what they said and did in the past, we're willing to talk with them on issues of developing cross-Straits relations and promoting peaceful reunification as long as they recognize the one-China principle and the "1992 Consensus."

We hope the Taiwan authorities could stop all activities for "Taiwan independence" and return to the path of recognizing the "1992 Consensus" at an early date.

Once the one-China principle is followed, we are willing to make positive responses to any proposals and suggestions which are conducive to maintaining peace in the Taiwan Straits, developing cross-Straits relations and promoting peaceful reunification, and also willing to seek, on the basis of the joint efforts by both sides, new ways for contacts and communications.

Second, never give up efforts to seek peaceful reunification

The 1.3 billion Chinese people, including the Taiwan compatriots, all love peace and sincerely hope to maintain peace and live in peace. They share an even greater hope that the flesh-and-blood brothers in one family can resolve their own problems peacefully.

A peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue and peaceful reunification of the motherland conforms to the fundamental interests of compatriots across the Taiwan Straits and the Chinese nation, as well as the currents of peace and development in the world today. This is the fundamental reason why we have always been making unremitting efforts for the realization of peaceful reunification.

Peaceful reunification does not mean that one side "swallows" the other, but that the two sides confer on reunification through consultation on an equal footing. The realization of peaceful reunification between the two sides across the Straits is a bliss for the compatriots on both sides, as well as a bliss for the region and the whole world. When the two sides of the Straits are reunited, the estrangement across the Straits caused by a long time of separation can be removed, and affinity between the compatriots on both sides enhanced. The military confrontation across the Straits will be brought to an end, making it possible for the compatriots on both sides to jointly engage themselves in peaceful construction. The economies of both sides can better complement and mutually benefit each other, bringing the compatriots on both sides together to seek common development. Both sides can work together to push forward the lofty cause of world peace and development, allowing the compatriots on both sides to share the dignity and glory of the great motherland. State sovereignty and territorial integrity can be genuinely guaranteed, enabling the compatriots on both sides to jointly promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The people long for peace and the country needs stability. As long as there is still a ray of hope for peaceful reunification, we'll do our utmost to achieve it. We hope at the bottom of our hearts that relevant personages and political parties in Taiwan would seriously consider this important issue, and proceeding from the righteous cause of the nation and the well-being of the compatriots on both sides of the Straits, make the correct historic choice to maintain peace across the Taiwan Straits, promote cross-Straits relations and realize peaceful reunification.

Third, never change the principle of placing hope on the Taiwan people

The Taiwan compatriots are our flesh-and-blood brothers, as well as an important force in developing cross-Straits relations and checking the "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities. The more the "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces want to isolate the Taiwan compatriots from us, the more closely we have to unite with them. Under whatever circumstances, we shall always respect, trust and rely on the Taiwan compatriots, land ourselves in their position to think of their difficulties, and do everything we can to look after and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.

The marketing of Taiwan's farm produce in the mainland is an issue that involves the fundamental interests of the broad masses of the Taiwan farmers, and therefore must be addressed in a down-to-earth manner. If the cross-Straits direct passenger charter flights can be conducted on all festivals and holidays, they can also gradually develop into a regular practice. On the issue of cross-Straits direct cargo charter flights, non-governmental trade organizations of both sides could also exchange views.

We will further adopt, step by step, policies and measures to resolve problems which the Taiwan compatriots are concerned about, and to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the Taiwan compatriots. Anything beneficial to the Taiwan compatriots and conducive to the promotion of cross-Straits exchanges, to the maintenance of peace in the Taiwan Straits region and to the motherland's peaceful reunification, we will do it with our utmost efforts and will do it well. This is our solemn commitment to the broad masses of the Taiwan compatriots.

Fourth, never compromise in opposing the "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities

Safeguarding state sovereignty and territorial integrity is where a country's core interest lies. On no account shall the 1.3 billion Chinese people allow anyone to undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will not have the slightest hesitation, falter or concession on the major principle issue of opposing secession. The "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces must abandon their secessionist stand and stop all "Taiwan independence" activities.

We hope the leader of the Taiwan authorities could earnestly fulfill the "five no's" commitment he reaffirmed on Feb. 24, as well as his commitment of not seeking "legalization of Taiwan independence" through the "constitutional reform", and show to the world, through his own concrete action, that this was not an empty word or mere lip service which can be forsaken at will.

China belongs to the 1.3 billion Chinese people including the 23 million Taiwan compatriots, so do the mainland and Taiwan Island. Any issue involving China's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be decided collectively by the entire 1.3 billion Chinese people.

We believe that the broad masses of the Taiwan compatriots will definitely join us to resolutely safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity and resolutely safeguard the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation.

(Editor's note: The "five no's" commitment refers to the promise once made by the leader of the Taiwan authorities not to do five things in his office tenure. The five things, including declaring "Taiwan independence", changing the official name of the Taiwan region and promoting a so-called "referendum" on "independence or reunification", are all outrageous secessionist activities totally unacceptable to the entire Chinese people.)

(Xinhua News Agency March 5, 2005)