An article written by a Chinese international law expert has underlined the force and effect of the Cairo Declaration, which 60 years ago deemed Taiwan as an inalienable part of China.

In the article to be carried on Friday's People's Daily and its overseas edition, Rao Geping, director of the International Law Institute of Beijing University, says that the declaration, publicized in 1943 by the state heads of China, the United States and Britain, provided effective legal evidence for Taiwan's status as a part of China.

The declaration, a legal weapon for the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity against separatism, is often attacked by Taiwan separatists who deny the validity of the declaration, the article says.

The legal effectiveness of the declaration, however, has become an indisputable fact that is widely acknowledged by international society, the article says, noting sufficient legal bases can be found in international law.

It has become a principle of international law that international declarations, with detailed action guidelines and signed by state heads, are binding upon all participating countries, according to Rao.

This proves that the Cairo Declaration is an international law document binding on the three countries and therefore different from commonplace international policy statements.

The legal virtues of the declaration, with detailed rights and obligations regulated, have been recognized by the Potsdam Proclamation, Japan's capitulation in 1945 and other international documents.

The activity of any person or group wishing to deny the validity of the declaration is fruitless, the article says.

The article goes on to say that some political figures of Taiwan regard the declaration as the biggest international law obstacle for their "Taiwan independence" separatism, and therefore attempt to deny its legal status and effectiveness.

A historical legal document that is generally acknowledged by international society will not be derogated by the attacks of a minority.

No effective evidence can be found from international law to prove that Taiwan is not a part of China or Taiwan is an independent sovereign country, the article says, emphasizing that the legal status of the declaration is unshakable.

(Xinhua News Agency November 27, 2003)