VIII. Promoting the Peaceful Reunification Of the Motherland

Complete reunification of the motherland is the common aspiration of all Chinese at home and abroad. Taking the great cause of the peaceful reunification of the motherland as their historical task, the Chinese Communists have made unremitting efforts to that end. Deng Xiaoping's scientific concept of "one country, two systems" has vigorously pushed forward the process of the peaceful reunification of the motherland.

As a hallmark of the great success of the concept of "one country, two systems," Hong Kong's return to the motherland constitutes a crucial step taken by the Chinese people in the great cause of the reunification of the motherland. Since Hong Kong's return, the policies of "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy have been conscientiously implemented, and Hong Kong has maintained its prosperity and stability. Facts will prove that the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and our compatriots in Hong Kong will certainly be able to administer Hong Kong well in accordance with the Basic Law of the HKSAR.

Macao will return to the embrace of the motherland in 1999, another great event for the Chinese nation. All preparations for Macao's return are being made in an energetic and orderly fashion. Macao's smooth transition and smooth transfer of government can certainly be secured and its long-term development and stability maintained.

The concept of "one country, two systems" is an important component of Deng Xiaoping Theory. The basic idea is that on the premise of national reunification, the main part of China will stick to the socialist system while Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao will retain the current capitalist system and way of life for a long time to come. This concept is the basic policy for promoting the great cause of the peaceful reunification of the motherland, because it not only embodies the principled position of achieving national reunification and safeguarding state sovereignty, but also takes into full consideration the past and the present of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao and embodies a high degree of flexibility. The adoption of the policy of "one country, two systems" is in the interest of the reunification of the motherland and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and conducive to world peace and development.

Thanks to the introduction of the basic principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" as well as other policies, significant headway has been made in the relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits. The smooth return of Hong Kong and the maintenance of its long-term prosperity and stability will undoubtedly create favorable conditions for the settlement of the Taiwan issue. However, the growth of the splitting tendency on the Taiwan Island and the interference of certain foreign anti-China forces have stood in the way of peaceful reunification as big obstacles, which of course have met with determined opposition from the Chinese people including our compatriots in Taiwan.

We shall adhere to the basic principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" and the eight-point proposal on developing relations between the two sides and promoting the peaceful reunification of the motherland. We shall stick to the principle of "one China" and oppose splitting, the "independence of Taiwan," the attempt to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" and any interference by foreign forces. We shall not allow any forces whatsoever to change Taiwan's status as part of China in any way. We shall work for peaceful reunification, but we shall not undertake to renounce the use of force. This is not directed against our compatriots in Taiwan, but against the schemes of foreign forces to interfere with China's reunification and to bring about the "independence of Taiwan." We shall spare no efforts in expanding economic exchanges and cooperation between the two sides, speed up the establishment of direct links of postal, air and shipping services and trade between the two sides and continue to promote mutual visits of people and exchanges in various fields such as science, technology and culture. We place our hopes on our compatriots in Taiwan who are endowed with the glorious tradition of patriotism. Except for a handful of people who stubbornly cling to the position of "independence of Taiwan," all parties and personages of all circles in Taiwan are welcome to exchange views with us on relations between the two sides and on peaceful reunification.

Now we should like to renew our solemn appeal: As the first step, the two sides of the Straits can hold negotiations and reach an agreement on "officially ending the state of hostility between the two sides in accordance with the principle that there is only one China." On this basis, the two sides can jointly undertake to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and map out plans for the future development of their relations. We hope that the Taiwan authorities will earnestly respond to our suggestions and proposals and enter into political negotiations with us at an early date. On the premise that there is only one China, we are prepared to talk about any matter. All opinions and proposals can be put forward as long as they are in the interest of the reunification. The issue of the reunification of the motherland should be solved by us Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

Taiwan's future hinges on the reunification of the motherland, and splitting is no way out. With full determination, we are capable of finding a final solution to the Taiwan issue. No matter how many difficulties and obstacles are in store for us, the complete reunification of the motherland and the all-round rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will certainly come true, for all the Chinese on both sides and living elsewhere will proceed from the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation and go forward hand in hand.