A State Council official has said that the recent remarks made
by Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian about Taiwan independence and his
stubborn adherence to the separatist stance prove that he is a
troublemaker and saboteur of cross-Straits relations, and peace and
stability in the Asian Pacific region.
Li Weiyi, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State
Council made the remarks in Beijing on Wednesday at a news
conference.
Over the last year, thanks to the joint efforts of compatriots
on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, relations have developed
toward stability and peace, Li said.
"However, the Taiwan leader ran counter to this momentum," Li
stressed, saying "after his provocative New Year speech, the leader
made reference to Taiwan Independence remarks again while
compatriots were celebrating the Spring Festival.
Chen proposed on January 29 in his Lunar New Year speech the
termination of the National Unification Council (NUC) and the
National Unification Guidelines (NUG), the formulation of a new
Taiwan constitution and the application for UN membership under the
name of Taiwan. In this speech, he also broke his former promises
and challenged the one-China principle that is commonly abided by
the international community.
On May 20, 2000, Chen promised not to make references to Taiwan
independence, to incorporate the "two states" idea into its
constitution, change the so-called country's name or to hold a
referendum on Taiwan independence, and not to abolish the NUC and
the NUG.
"Our stance on developing cross-Straits relations is consistent,
firm and clear," Li stressed, adding: "We will unswervingly adhere
to the one-China principle, never give up efforts of peaceful
reunification, and never compromise on our opposition to
secessionist activities."
"Taiwan compatriots are our brothers and sisters and we will not
change our solemn promise made to them because of the deliberate
provocation made by the Taiwan leader," Li said.
"We will try our utmost efforts to do every thing which is
conducive to the interests of Taiwan compatriots, cross-Straits
exchanges, peace across the Taiwan Straits, and peaceful
reunification of the motherland," Li said.
"We hope that Taiwan compatriots can make joint efforts with us
to propel peaceful and smooth development of cross-Straits
relations," he said.
In another development, the mainland has decided to resume the
export of fishery labor services to Taiwan in the upcoming fishing
season after a four-year-long suspension, an official with the Ministry of Commerce
announced.
Tang Wei, director of the Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs
Department under the Ministry of Commerce, told the news conference
that fishing organizations from across the Straits will soon sign
agreements on the issue.
Beijing banned fishermen from working for Taiwan companies in
December 2001 to protest against the island's discrimination
against mainland fishermen hired by Taiwan fishing firms, which
once employed 45,000 workers from the mainland.
(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2006)