The Taiwan Affairs Office and The Information Office of the State
          Council (February 21, 2000 )
         
         
          Foreword
         
          On October 1, 1949, the Chinese people won a great victory in  the
          new democratic revolution and founded the People's Republic of China
          (PRC). The Kuomintang (KMT) ruling clique retreated from the
          mainland to entrench in China's Taiwan Province in confrontation
          with the Central Government with the support of foreign forces. This
          is the origin of the Taiwan issue. Settlement of the Taiwan issue
          and realization of the complete reunification of China embody the
          fundamental interests of the Chinese nation. The Chinese government
          has worked persistently toward this goal in the past 50 years. From
          1979, the Chinese government has striven for the peaceful
          reunification of China in the form of "one country, two systems"
          with the greatest sincerity and the utmost effort. Economic and
          cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts between the two
          sides of the Taiwan Straits have made rapid progress since the end
          of 1987. Unfortunately, from the 1990s, Lee Teng-hui, the leader of
          the Taiwan authorities, has progressively betrayed the One-China
          Principle, striving to promote a separatist policy with "two Chinas"
          at the core, going  so far as to openly describe the cross-Straits
          relations as "state to state relations, or at least special state to
          state relations."This action has seriously damaged the basis for
          peaceful reunification of the two sides, harmed the fundamental
          interests of the entire Chinese nation including the Taiwan
          compatriots, and jeopardized peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific
          region. The  Chinese government has consistently adhered to the
          One-China  Principle and resolutely opposed any attempt to separate
          Taiwan  from China. The struggle between the Chinese government and
          the  separatist forces headed by Lee Teng-hui finds its concentrated
           expression in the question of whether to persevere in the One-China
          Principle or to create "two Chinas" or "One-China, one  Taiwan."
         
          In August 1993, we issued a white paper entitled "The Taiwan
          Question and Reunification of China," which systematically expounds
          the fact concerning Taiwan as an inalienable part of China, the
          origin of the Taiwan issue and the Chinese government's basic
          principles and related policies regarding resolution of the Taiwan
          question. We deem it necessary here to further explain to the
          international community the Chinese government's position and policy
          on the One-China Principle.
         
          I. The Basis for One China, de Facto and de Jure
         
          The One-China Principle has been evolved in the course of the
          Chinese people's just struggle to safeguard China's sovereignty and
          territorial integrity, and its basis, both de facto and de jure, is
          unshakable.
         
          Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. All the facts and laws about
          Taiwan prove that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese
          territory. In April 1895, through a war of aggression against China,
          Japan forced the Qing government to sign the unequal Treaty of
          Shimonoseki, and forcibly occupied Taiwan. In July 1937, Japan
          launched an all-out war of aggression against China. In December
          1941, the Chinese government issued the Proclamation of China's
          Declaration of War Against Japan, announcing to the world that all
          treaties, agreements and contracts concerning Sino-Japanese
          relations, including the Treaty of Shimonoseki, had been abrogated,
          and that China would recover Taiwan. In December 1943, the Cairo
          Declaration was issued by the Chinese, U.S. and British  
          governments, stipulating that Japan should return to China all the
          territories it had stolen from the Chinese, including Northeast
          China, Taiwan and the Penghu Archipelago. The Potsdam Proclamation
          signed by China, the United States and Britain in 1945 (later
          adhered to by the Soviet Union) stipulated that "The terms of the
          Cairo Declaration shall be carried out." In August of that year,
          Japan declared surrender and promised in its instrument of surrender
          that it would faithfully fulfill the obligations laid  down in the
          Potsdam Proclamation. On October 25, 1945, the Chinese government
          recovered Taiwan and the Penghu Archipelago, resuming the exercise
          of sovereignty over Taiwan.
         
          On October 1, 1949, the Central People's Government of the PRC was
          proclaimed, replacing the government of the Republic of China to
          become the only legal government of the whole of China and its sole
          legal representative in the international arena, thereby bringing
          the historical status of the Republic of China to an end. This is a
          replacement of the old regime by a new one in a situation where the
          main bodies of the same international laws have not changed and
          China's sovereignty and inherent territory have not changed
          therefrom, and so the government of the PRC  naturally should fully
          enjoy and exercise China's sovereignty, including its sovereignty
          over Taiwan.
         
          Since the KMT ruling clique retreated to Taiwan, although its regime
          has continued to use the designations "Republic of China" and
          "government of the Republic of China," it has long since completely
          forfeited its right to exercise state sovereignty on behalf of China
          and, in reality, has always remained only a local authority in
          Chinese territory.
         
          The formulation of the One-China Principle and its basic meaning. On
          the day of its founding, the Central People's Government of the PRC
          declared to governments of all countries in the world, "This
          government is the sole legitimate government representing the entire
          people of the People's Republic of China. It is ready to establish
          diplomatic relations with all foreign governments that are willing
          to abide by the principles of equality, mutual benefit and mutual
          respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty."
          Shortly afterwards, the Central People's Government telegraphed the
          United Nations, announcing that the KMT authorities had "lost all
          basis, both de jure and de facto, to represent the Chinese people,"
          and therefore had no right to represent China at all. One principle
          governing New China's establishment of diplomatic relations with a
          foreign country is that it recognizes the government of the PRC as
          the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China,
          severs or refrains from establishing diplomatic relations with the
          Taiwan authorities.
         
          These propositions of the Chinese government met with obstruction by
          the U.S. government. On January 5, 1950, the U.S. President Truman
          issued a statement, saying that the U.S. and other Allied countries
          recognized China's exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan Island in the
          four years since 1945. However, after the start of the Korean War in
          June 1950, to isolate and contain China the U.S. government not only
          sent troops to occupy Taiwan, but it also dished out such fallacies
          as "the status of Taiwan has yet to be determined" and later, step
          by step, lobbied for "dual recognition" among the international
          community in order to create "two Chinas." Naturally, the Chinese
          government resolutely opposed this, insisting that there is only one
          China in the world, Taiwan is a part of China and the government of
          the PRC is the sole legal government representing the whole of
          China. China has evolved the One-China Principle precisely in the
          course of the endeavor to develop normal diplomatic relations with
          other countries and the struggle to safeguard state sovereignty and
          territorial integrity. The above propositions constitute the basic
          meaning of the One-China Principle, the crucial point being to
          safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
         
          During the 30 or 40 years after 1949, although the Taiwan
          authorities did not recognize the legitimate status of the
          government of the PRC as the representative of the whole of China,
          they did insist that Taiwan is a part of China and that there is
          only one China, and opposed "two Chinas" and "Taiwan independence. "
          This shows that for a long time there has been a common  
          understanding among the Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan  Straits
          on the fundamental question that there is only one China  and Taiwan
          is a part of Chinese territory. As far back as October  1958, when
          the People's Liberation Army (PLA) was engaged in the battle to
          bombard Jinmen, Chairman Mao Zedong declared to the Taiwan
          authorities, "There is only one China, not two, in the world. You
          agree with us on this point, as indicated in your leaders'
          proclamations." In January 1979, the Standing Committee of the
          National People's Congress (NPC) issued a Message to Taiwan
          Compatriots, pointing out that "the Taiwan authorities have always
          stood firm on the one China position and opposed the independence  
          of Taiwan. This is our common stand and our basis for cooperation."
         
          The Chinese government's solemn and reasonable stand for the
          One-China Principle has gained the understanding and support of more
          and more countries and international organizations, and the
          One-China Principle has been gradually accepted by the international
          community at large. In October 1971, the United Nations General
          Assembly adopted at its 26th session Resolution 2758, which expelled
          the representatives of the Taiwan authorities and restored the seat
          and all the lawful rights of the government of the PRC in the United
          Nations. In September 1972, China and  Japan signed a Joint
          Statement, announcing establishment of diplomatic relations between
          the two countries, and that Japan recognizes the government of the
          PRC as the only legitimate government of China, fully understands
          and respects the Chinese  government's position that Taiwan is an
          inalienable part of the territory of the PRC, and promises to adhere
          to the position as prescribed in Article 8 of the Potsdam
          Proclamation. In December 1978, China and the U.S. issued the Joint
          Communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations, in which
          the U.S. " recognizes the government of the People's Republic of
          China as the sole legal government of China" and "acknowledges the
          Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is a part of
          China. " Up to now, 161 countries have established diplomatic
          relations with the PRC; they all acknowledge the One-China Principle
          and promise to handle their relations with Taiwan within the
          one-China framework.
         
          II. The One-China Principle--the Basis and Prerequisite for
          Achieving Peaceful Reunification
         
          The One-China Principle is the foundation stone for the Chinese
          government's policy on Taiwan. On Comrade Deng Xiaoping's
          initiative, the Chinese government has, since 1979, adopted the
          policy of peaceful reunification and gradually evolved the
          scientific concept of "one country, two systems." On this basis,
          China established the basic principle of "peaceful reunification,
          and one country, two systems." The key points of this basic
          principle and the relevant policies are: China will do its best to
          achieve peaceful reunification, but will not commit itself to ruling
          out the use of force; will actively promote people-to-people
          contacts and economic and cultural exchanges between the two sides
          of the Taiwan Straits, and start direct trade, postal, air and  
          shipping services as soon as possible; achieve reunification through
          peaceful negotiations and, on the premise of the One-China
          Principle, any matter can be negotiated. After reunification, the
          policy of "one country, two systems" will be practiced, with the
          main body of China (Chinese mainland) continuing with its  socialist
          system, and Taiwan maintaining its capitalist system for a long
          period of time to come. After reunification, Taiwan will enjoy a
          high degree of autonomy, and the Central Government will not send
          troops or administrative personnel to be stationed in  Taiwan.
          Resolution of the Taiwan issue is an internal affair of China, which
          should be achieved by the Chinese themselves, and there is no call
          for aid by foreign forces. The afore-mentioned principles and
          policies embody the basic stand and spirit of  adhering to the
          One-China Principle, and fully respect Taiwan compatriots' wish to
          govern and administer Taiwan by themselves. On January 30, 1995,
          President Jiang Zemin put forward eight propositions on the
          development of relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits
          and the promotion of peaceful reunification of China, explicitly
          pointing out: "Adhering to the One-China Principle is the basis and
          prerequisite for peaceful reunification. "
         
          Only by adhering to the One-China Principle can peaceful
          reunification be achieved. The Taiwan issue is one left over by the
          Chinese civil war. As yet, the state of hostility between the two
          sides of the Straits has not formally ended. To safeguard China's
          sovereignty and territorial integrity and realize the reunification
          of the two sides of the Straits, the Chinese government has the
          right to resort to any necessary means.  Peaceful means would be
          favorable to the common development of the societies on both sides
          of the Straits, and to the harmony and  unity of the compatriots
          across the Straits. Peaceful means is therefore the best means. The
          Chinese government's declaration in 1979 on implementing the
          principle of peaceful reunification was based on the premise that
          the Taiwan authorities at that time upheld the principle that there
          is only one China in the world and Taiwan is a part of China.
          Meanwhile, the Chinese government took into account the fact that
          the U.S. government, which for many years had supported the Taiwan
          authorities, had accepted that there is only one China in the world,
          Taiwan is a part of China and the government of the PRC is the only
          legitimate government of China, and saw this acknowledgment as being
          beneficial to the peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue. While
          carrying out the policy of peaceful reunification, the Chinese
          government always makes it clear that the means used to solve the
          Taiwan issue is a matter of China's internal affairs, and China is
          under no obligation to commit itself to rule out the use of force.
          This is by no means directed against Taiwan compatriots, but against
          the scheme to create an "independent Taiwan" and against the foreign
          forces interfering in the reunification of China, and is intended as
          a necessary safeguard for the striving for peaceful reunification.
          Resort to force would only be the last choice made under compelling
          circumstances.
         
          As for Taiwan, upholding the principle of one China indicates that
          it acknowledges that China's sovereignty and territory are
          inalienable. In this way, both sides of the Taiwan Straits will have
          a common basis and premise and may find ways to solve their  
          political differences and realize peaceful reunification through
          consultation on an equal footing. If Taiwan denies the One-China
          Principle and tries to separate Taiwan from the territory of China,
          the premise and basis for peaceful reunification will cease to  
          exist.   As for the United States, if it promises to follow a
          one-China policy, it should earnestly implement the three
          communiques between the Chinese and U.S. governments and fulfill the
          series of promises it has made. It should maintain only cultural,
          commercial and other non-governmental relations with Taiwan; oppose
          "Taiwan  independence," "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" and
          not to stand in the way of the reunification of China. Acting
          otherwise will destroy the external conditions necessary for the
          Chinese government to strive for peaceful reunification.
         
          As for countries in the Asia-Pacific region and other regions in the
          world, the situation across the Taiwan Straits has always been
          closely linked with the stability of the Asia-Pacific region.
          Adherence to the policy of one China by countries concerned will be
          beneficial to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and
          favorable for China to develop friendly relations with other
          countries, and therefore conforms to the interests of the
          Asia-Pacific region and other countries in the world.
         
          The Chinese government is actively and sincerely striving for
          peaceful reunification. To achieve peaceful reunification, the
          Chinese government has appealed time and again for cross-Straits
          negotiations on the basis of equality and the One-China Principle.
          Taking Taiwan's political reality into full account and out of  
          consideration for the Taiwan authorities' request for the
          negotiations to be held on an equal footing, we have put forward one
          proposal after another, such as that the negotiations should be held
          between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese KMT on a
          reciprocal basis and that the talks between the two parties may
          include representatives from all parties and mass organizations of
          Taiwan, and we have never spoken of negotiations between the
          "central and local authorities." The Chinese government has also
          proposed that dialogues may start first, including political
          dialogues, which may gradually move on to  procedural consultations
          for political talks to solve the name, the topics for discussion and
          the forms of official talks before political talks are held.
          Political talks may be carried out step by step. First, negotiations
          should be held and an agreement reached on an official end to the
          state of hostility between the two sides under the principle of one
          China so as to jointly safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial
          integrity and work  out plans for the development of the future
          cross-Straits relations. In January 1998, to seek and expand the
          political basis for relations between the two sides, the Chinese
          government explicitly proposed to the Taiwan side that before the
          realization of reunification and in handling affairs concerning
          inter-Straits relations, especially during the talks between the two
          sides, the One-China Principle should be upheld, namely that there
          is only one China in the world, Taiwan is a part of China and
          China's sovereignty and territorial integrity is not to be
          separated. The Chinese government hopes that on the basis of the
          One-China Principle, the two sides will hold consultations on an
          equal footing and discuss national reunification together.
         
          To strive for peaceful reunification, the Chinese government has
          adopted a series of positive policies and measures to promote the
          comprehensive development of cross-Straits relations. From the end
          of 1987, when the state of isolation between the two sides was
          terminated, to the end of 1999, the number of Taiwan compatriots
          coming to the mainland of China for visiting their relatives,
          sightseeing or exchanges reached 16 million by turnstile count. The
          total indirect trade volume between the two sides of the  Straits
          has exceeded US$ 160 billion; the agreed capital to be invested by
          Taiwan business people in the mainland has exceeded US$ 44 billion,
          of which US$ 24 billion has been actually used. Great progress has
          been made in the exchange of mail and telecommunications across the
          Straits; and some progress has been made in the exchange of air and
          shipping services too. The NPC and its Standing Committee, the State
          Council, and local governments have worked out a sequence of laws
          and regulations to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of
          Taiwan compatriots. To  properly solve the concrete issues arising
          from the people-to-people contacts between the two sides through
          consultations, in November 1992 the mainland's Association for
          Relations Across the Taiwan Straits and Taiwan's Straits Exchange
          Foundation reached  the common understanding during talks on routine
          affairs that each of the two organizations should express verbally
          that "both sides of the Taiwan Straits adhere to the One-China
          Principle." On this basis, the leaders of these two organizations
          successfully held the "Wang Daohan-Koo Chen-fu talks" and signed
          several agreements  on protecting the legitimate rights and
          interests of the compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits in
          April 1993. In October 1998, the leaders of the two organizations
          met in Shanghai, starting political dialogue across the Straits. The
          talks between the two organizations were carried out on an equal
          footing. Practice has proved that on the basis of the One-China
          Principle, it is entirely possible to find a proper way for holding
          talks, based on equality, between the two sides. Since Hong Kong and
          Macao's return to China, people-to-people contacts and exchanges
          between Hong Kong and Taiwan and between Macao and Taiwan have
          continued and developed on the basis of the One-China Principle.
         
          III. The Chinese Government--Staunch Champion for the One-China
          Principle
         
          Separatist forces in Taiwan are bent on violating the One-China
          Principle. In 1988, after Lee Teng-hui became the leader of the
          Taiwan authorities, he publicly stated time and again that the basic
          policy of the Taiwan authorities was that "there is only one China,
          not two," and "we have always maintained that China should be
          reunited, and we adhere to the principle of 'one China.'"    
          However, since the early 1990s, Lee Teng-hui has gradually deviated
          from the One-China Principle, trumpeting "two governments," "two
          reciprocal political entities," "Taiwan is already a state with
          independent sovereignty," and "At the present stage the Republic of
          China is on Taiwan and the People's Republic of China is on the
          mainland." Moreover, he went back on his words, saying that "I have
          never said that there is only one China." In addition, he has
          connived at and provided support for the separatists who advocate
          "Taiwan independence" and their activities, thus helping the rapid
          development of the "Taiwan independence" forces and the spread of
          the "Taiwan independence" ideology. Under the direction of Lee
          Teng-hui, the Taiwan authorities have adopted a series of measures
          toward actual separation. In matters of Taiwan's form of government,
          the Taiwan authorities are seeking to transform Taiwan into an
          "independent political entity" through a "constitutional reform," so
          as to suit the needs of creating "two Chinas." In foreign relations,
           the Taiwan authorities have spared no effort to carry out the
          activities for "expanding the international space of survival," with
          the aim of creating "two Chinas." Since 1993, for seven years
          running, the Taiwan authorities have maneuvered for participation in
          the United Nations. In military affairs, the Taiwan authorities have
          bought large quantities of advanced weapons from foreign countries
          and sought to join the Theater Missile Defense system (TMD), in an
          attempt to establish a military alliance of a disguised form with
          the United States and Japan.
         
          In ideology and culture, the Taiwan authorities have endeavored to
          obliterate the Chinese awareness of Taiwan compatriots, especially
          young people, and their identification with the motherland, in order
          to create misunderstanding of the motherland among Taiwan
          compatriots and estrange them from her, thus cutting off the
          ideological and cultural ties between the compatriots on both sides
          of the Taiwan Straits.    Since 1999, Lee Teng-hui has stepped up
          his separatist  activities. In May, he published the book The Road
          to Democracy, which advocates the division of China into seven
          regions, each enjoying "full autonomy." On July 9, he went so far as
          to publicly distort the cross-Straits relations as "state to state
          relations, or at least special state to state relations," in an
          attempt to fundamentally change the status of Taiwan as a part of  
          China, sabotage the relations between both sides of the Taiwan
          Straits, especially the basis for cross-Straits political dialogues
          and negotiations, and wreck the foundation for peaceful
          reunification. Lee Teng-hui has become the general representative of
          Taiwan's separatist forces, a saboteur of the stability of the
          Taiwan Straits, a stumbling-block preventing the development of
          relations between China and the United States, and a troublemaker
          for the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region.
         
          The Chinese government firmly defends the One-China Principle. The
          Chinese government and people have always maintained sharp vigilance
          and fought resolutely against the secessionist activities of the
          Taiwan separatists, represented by Lee Teng-hui.
         
          After Lee Teng-hui's "private" visit to the United States in June
          1995, the Chinese government has waged a resolute struggle against
          separation and against "Taiwan independence," and made strong
          protests and representations to the U.S. government for  openly
          allowing Lee Teng-hui to visit the U.S., violating its promises made
          in the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques, and seriously prejudicing
          China's sovereignty. This struggle has shown the Chinese government
          and people's firm resolve and ability to safeguard state sovereignty
          and territorial integrity, and exerted an important and far-reaching
          influence. Compatriots in Taiwan have further realized the serious
          harm "Taiwan independence" can cause. Lee Teng-hui has received a
          heavy blow for his separatist activities in the international
          community, so that some of the " Taiwan independence" protagonists
          have had to abandon certain extremist propositions aimed at
          division. The international community has further realized the
          necessity of upholding the one-China policy. The U.S. government has
          explicitly undertaken not to support "Taiwan independence," not to
          support "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan," and not to support
          Taiwan joining any international organization whose membership is
          restricted to sovereign states.
         
          The Chinese government and people have fought more unremittingly
          after Lee Teng-hui cooked up his "two states" theory. The relevant
          department of the Chinese government has clearly stated that the
          attempt of the Taiwan separatists to implement the "two states"
          theory in "legal" form was an even more serious and dangerous step
          toward division and a grave provocation against peaceful
          reunification. Were the attempt to succeed, it would be impossible
          for China to achieve peaceful reunification. The struggle against
          this attempt has grown in momentum with Chinese both at home and
          abroad condemning the "two states" theory with one voice. Most
          countries in the world have reaffirmed their position of upholding
          the One-China Policy. The U.S. government has also reasserted its
          adherence to the One-China Policy and its commitment to the "Three
          Non-supports" for Taiwan. Finally, the Taiwan authorities have been
          compelled to announce that they will not amend their "constitution"
          and "laws" according to the "two states" theory.
         
          Nevertheless, separatists in Taiwan are still attempting to detach
          Taiwan "de jure" from China in the name of the "Republic of China"
          by various forms, including "formulating a new constitution,"
          "amending the constitution," and "explaining the constitution" or
          through "legislation." Special vigilance should be maintained to the
          fact that the Taiwan separatists are continually scheming to disrupt
          the Sino-U.S. relations and provoke conflicts and confrontation
          between the two nations to achieve their aim of  dividing China.
         
          Facts prove that a serious crisis still exists in the situation of
          the Taiwan Straits. To safeguard the interests of the entire Chinese
          people including compatriots in Taiwan and maintain the peace and
          development of the Asia-Pacific region, the Chinese government
          remains firm in adhering to "peaceful reunification" and "one
          country, two systems"; upholding the eight propositions put forward
          by President Jiang Zemin for the development of cross-Straits
          relations and the acceleration of the peaceful reunification of
          China; and doing its utmost to achieve the objective of peaceful
          reunification. However, if a grave turn of events occurs leading to
          the separation of Taiwan from China in any name, or if Taiwan is
          invaded and occupied by foreign countries, or if the Taiwan
          authorities refuse, sine die, the peaceful settlement of
          cross-Straits reunification through negotiations, then the Chinese
          government will only be forced to adopt all drastic measures
          possible, including the use of force, to safeguard China's
          sovereignty and territorial integrity and fulfill the great cause of
          reunification. The Chinese government and people absolutely have the
          determination and ability to safeguard China's sovereignty and
          territorial integrity, and will never tolerate, condone or remain
          indifferent to the realization of any scheme to divide China. Any
          such scheme is doomed to failure.
         
          IV. Several Questions Involving the One-China Principle in the
          Cross-Straits Relations
         
          Chinese territory and sovereignty has not been split, and the two
          sides of the Straits are not two states. The Taiwan authorities  
          support their position on "two Chinas," including the "two states"
          theory proposed by Lee Teng-hui, with the following arguments:
         
          Since 1949, the territories on either side of the Straits have been
          divided and governed separately, with neither side having  
          jurisdiction over the other; the government of the PRC has never
          ruled Taiwan; and since 1991 Taiwan has witnessed a form of  
          government that has nothing to do with that of the Chinese mainland.
          These arguments are absolutely untenable, and can never lead   to
          the conclusion that Taiwan may declare itself a state under the name
          of the "Republic of China," or that the two sides of the Straits  
          have been divided into two states. Firstly, state sovereignty is
          inseparable. The territory is the space in which a state exercises
          its   sovereignty. In the territory of a country there can only be a
          central government exercising sovereignty on behalf of the state. As
          we   have already said, Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese
          territory and, after replacing the government of the Republic of
          China in   1949, the government of the PRC has become the sole legal
          government of China, enjoying and exercising sovereignty over the
          whole   of China, including Taiwan.
         
          Although the two sides of the Straits remain to be reunified, the
          long-term existence of this abnormal situation has not imbued Taiwan
          with a status and rights in international law, nor can it change the
          legal status of Taiwan as a part of China. The problem now is that
          the separatists in Taiwan and some foreign anti-China forces seek to
          change this state of affairs, and it is this that the Chinese
          government and people are firmly against.
         
          We firmly oppose changing Taiwan's status as a part of China by
          referendum. The Taiwan separatists' attempt to change Taiwan's
          status as a part of China by referendum on the pretext that "
          sovereignty belongs to the people" is futile. Firstly, under both
          domestic and international laws Taiwan's legal status as a part of
          Chinese territory is unequivocal, and there can be no premise for
          using referendum to decide any matter of self-determination.
          Secondly, the phrase "sovereignty belongs to the people" refers  to
          all the people of  state, and not certain people or the people of a
          certain area. The sovereignty over Taiwan belongs to all the Chinese
          people including Taiwan compatriots, and not to some of the people
          in Taiwan. Thirdly, at no time in history has Taiwan been a state in
          its own right, and since 1945 Taiwan has not been a foreign colony,
          nor has it been under foreign occupation. The issue of national
          self-determination, therefore, does not exist. In short, from the
          time that China recovered Taiwan in 1945, there has been no question
          at all of changing Taiwan's status as a part  of China by holding a
          referendum. The only future for Taiwan is reunification with the
          China mainland, and certainly not separation. Any attempt to
          separate Taiwan from China through so-called referendum would only
          lead the Taiwan people to disaster.
         
          The "two German states formula" cannot be applied to the settlement
          of the Taiwan issue. Some people in Taiwan have suggested that
          cross-Straits relations should be dealt with according to the "two
          German states formula," since Germany was divided into two states
          after the Second World War, and was later reunified. This proposal
          shows a misunderstanding of history and reality. The division of
          Germany after the war and the temporary division between the two
          sides of the Straits are questions of a different nature, the
          difference lying mainly in three aspects. The first is the reasons
          for, and the nature of, the division. After its defeat in the Second
          World War in 1945, Germany was  divided into zones occupied
          separately by the four victorious nations of the United States,
          Britain, France and the Soviet Union according to a declaration on
          the defeat of Germany and the assumption of supreme authority and
          the subsequent Potsdam Agreement. The reunification of Germany
          became a focus of the confrontation in Europe between the United
          States and the Soviet Union during the cold war. The Federal
          Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic were
          established in the zones occupied by the U.S., Britain and France,
          and that occupied by the Soviet  Union. Thus Germany was divided
          into two states. Obviously, the German question arose entirely from
          external factors, while the Taiwan issue, left over by China's civil
          war, is a matter of China 's internal affairs. The second aspect is
          the difference in status between the two under international law.
          Germany was divided according to a series of international treaties
          during and after the Second World War, while the Taiwan question
          involves provisions of the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam
          Proclamation and other international treaties, stating that Japan
          must return Taiwan, which it had stolen from China, to the Chinese.
          The third is the difference between the two in their actual
          conditions of  existence.
         
          Against the backdrop of the confrontation between the U.S. and the
          Soviet Union, the two German states had foreign troops stationing in
          their territories and so were compelled to recognize each other and
          co-exist in the international community. The Chinese government has
          always persisted in the principle of one China. Before Lee Teng-hui
          assumed power, and during his early days in office, the Taiwan
          authorities recognized only one China and opposed "two Chinas," and
          the One-China Principle has also been widely accepted by the
          international community. For these reasons, the Taiwan issue and the
          German issue cannot be placed in the same category, nor can the "two
          German states formula" be copied to settle the Taiwan question.  
          Any question can be discussed under the One-China Principle. The
          Chinese government advocates that the final purpose of cross-Straits
          negotiations is to achieve peaceful reunification; and that to
          achieve this purpose, talks should be held based on the principle of
          one China. However, the proposals for " Taiwan independence," "two
          Chinas" and "two states," aiming for separation instead of
          reunification, violate the One-China Principle, and are naturally
          unacceptable to the Chinese government. Provided that it is within
          the framework of one China, any question can be discussed, including
          the various issues that are of concern to the Taiwan side. The
          Chinese government believes that Taiwan's international space for
          economic, cultural and social activities compatible with its status,
          the political status of the Taiwan authorities and other questions
          can be finally  settled in the process of peaceful reunification
          through political negotiations within this framework.
         
          The so-called controversy about democracy and system is an excuse
          for obstructing the reunification of China. In recent years the
          Taiwan authorities have repeatedly declared that " democratization
          on the China mainland is the key to the reunification of China" and
          that "the real essence of the cross-Straits issue is a contest
          between systems." This is an excuse for postponing and resisting
          reunification, as well as a scheme to deceive compatriots in Taiwan
          and world opinion. The CPC and the Chinese government have
          consistently striven to achieve socialist democracy. To achieve
          peaceful reunification in the form of "one country, two systems,"
          and to allow the two different social systems on both sides of the
          Straits to coexist without imposing them on one or the other--this
          is best able to embody the wishes of compatriots on both sides of
          the Straits and is itself democratic. The different social systems
          across the Straits, therefore, should not constitute any barrier to
          peaceful reunification. Moreover, the Chinese government
          acknowledges the differences between Taiwan on the one hand and Hong
          Kong and Macao on the other and, after peaceful reunification, is
          prepared to apply a looser form of the "one country, two systems"
          policy in Taiwan than in Hong Kong and Macao. It is totally
          unreasonable and undemocratic for the Taiwan authorities to seek to
          obstruct reunification on the pretext of the "controversy about
          democracy and system" and to force the more than 1.2 billion people
          living on the Chinese mainland to practice the political and
          economic systems in Taiwan. The demand for democracy should not be
          used as a reason for refusing reunification. The essence of the
          difference between the two sides of the Straits on this question
          lies by no means in the controversy over whether to practice
          democracy or in the controversy over what system to practice, but
          rather a controversy over the choice between reunification and
          separation.
         
          V. Several Questions Involving Adherence to the One-China Principle
          in the International Community
         
          The Chinese government has expressed its appreciation to the
          international community for widely pursuing a one-China policy. In
          August 1993, we published the white paper The Taiwan Question and
          Reunification of China. In Chapter V of this document, "Several
          Questions Involving Taiwan in International Relations," we explained
          our position and policy on a number of issues, including relations
          between Taiwan and countries maintaining diplomatic ties with China,
          relations between international organizations and Taiwan, aviation
          services between Taiwan and countries having diplomatic relations
          with China, and arms sales to Taiwan by countries having diplomatic
          relations with China. Here, we would like to reaffirm our related
          position and policy.
         
          Taiwan is ineligible for membership of the United Nations and other
          international organizations whose membership is confined to
          sovereign states. The United Nations is an inter-governmental
          international organization composed of sovereign states. After the
          restoration of the lawful rights of the PRC in the United Nations,
          the issue of China's representation in the UNO was resolved once and
          for all and Taiwan's re-entry became totally out of the question.
          The Taiwan authorities have asserted that Resolution  2758 of the UN
          resolved only "the problem of China's representation," but not "the
          problem of Taiwan's representation," and demanded participation in
          the UN. We will never permit such a separatist act of creating "two
          Chinas' or "one China, one Taiwan."
         
          All members of the UN should adhere to the purpose and principles of
          the Charter of the United Nations and related UN resolutions, abide
          by norms governing international relations, including mutual respect
          for sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in
          each other's internal affairs, and never, in any form, support
          Taiwan's joining the UN or other international organizations whose
          membership is confined to sovereign states.
         
          On the basis of the principle of one China, the Chinese government
          has made arrangements for Taiwan's participation in some
          inter-governmental international organizations which accept region
          membership in an agreeable and acceptable way according to the
          nature, regulations and actual conditions of these international
          organizations. As a region of China, Taiwan has participated in the
          Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asia-Pacific Economic
          Cooperation (APEC) respectively in the names of " Taipei, China" and
          "Chinese Taipei." In September 1992, the chairman of the council of
          the predecessor of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the General
          Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), stated that Taiwan may
          participate in this organization as "a separate
          Taiwan-Penghu-Jinmen-Mazu tariff zone" (abbreviated as Chinese
          Taipei) after the PRC's entry to GATT. The WTO should persist in the
          principle defined in the afore-said statement when examining the
          acceptance of Taiwan's entry to the organization. This is only an ad
          hoc arrangement and cannot constitute a model applicable to other
          inter-governmental international organizations or international
          gatherings.
         
          No country maintaining diplomatic relations with China should
          provide arms to Taiwan or enter into military alliance of any form
          with Taiwan. All countries maintaining diplomatic relations with
          China should abide by the principles of mutual respect for
          sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in each
          other's internal affairs, and refrain from providing arms to Taiwan
          or helping Taiwan produce arms in any form or under any pretext.
         
          The Taiwan question is the most crucial and most sensitive issue in
          the relations between China and the U.S.  The three Sino-U.S. joint
          communiques are the basis for the healthy and stable development of
          relations between the two countries. For over twenty years, the U.S.
          has promised to adhere to a One-China Policy, which has brought to
          itself benefits such as the establishment of diplomatic relations
          with China, the development of Sino-U.S. relations and the relative
          stability of the Taiwan situation. Regrettably, the U.S. has
          repeatedly contravened its solemn undertakings to China made in the
          August 17 Communique and continued its sale of advanced arms and
          military equipment to Taiwan. Recently, some people in the U.S.
          Congress have cooked up the so-called Taiwan Security Enhancement
          Act and are attempting to include Taiwan in the TMD. This is gross
          interference in China 's internal affairs and a grave threat to
          China's security, obstructing the peaceful reunification of China
          and jeopardizing the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region
          and the world at large. The Chinese government is firmly against
          such actions.
         
          The Chinese government adheres to the One-China Principle in dealing
          with Taiwan's contacts with the outside world. The Taiwan
          authorities have spared no effort to promote "pragmatic diplomacy"
          in the international arena and enlarge their "international space of
          survival," the essence of these being to create "two Chinas" or "one
          China, one Taiwan." It is only natural that the Chinese government
          should firmly oppose these. Meanwhile, considering the needs of
          Taiwan's socio-economic development and the actual benefits of
          compatriots in Taiwan, the Chinese government has no objection to
          Taiwan's non-governmental economic and cultural contacts with
          foreign countries; in fact, on the premise of one China, it has
          adopted many flexible measures to make Taiwan's economic, trade and
          cultural contacts with foreign countries more convenient. For
          example, Taiwan may stay on the International Olympic Committee in
          the name of "Chinese Taipei." As a matter of fact, Taiwan has
          maintained extensive economic, trade and cultural relations with
          many countries and regions in the world. Every year, a million
          Taiwan compatriots go abroad for travel, business or study, as well
          as for academic, cultural or sports exchanges, and Taiwan's annual
          import and export trade volume has exceeded the US$200-billion mark.
          This has demonstrated that adhering to the One-China Principle has
          not prevented Taiwan compatriots from engaging in non-governmental
          international exchanges or affected the needs of Taiwan's normal
          economic, trade and cultural activities.
         
          The Chinese government safeguards all the justified and lawful
          rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots abroad. The people of
          Taiwan are of the same flesh and blood with us. The Chinese
          government has always worked for safeguarding their justified and
          lawful rights and interests abroad. Chinese embassies and consulates
          stationed abroad have always considered it their duties to
          strengthen their ties with Taiwan compatriots, listen to their
          suggestions and requests and safeguard their interests, and done
          everything they can to help them overcome their difficulties. During
          the Gulf War, the Chinese embassy helped Taiwanese labor service
          personnel stranded in Kuwait pull out of dangerous places safely.
          After the big earthquakes in Osaka and Kobe, Japan, the Chinese
          embassy and consulate general there promptly extended their
          sympathies to stricken Taiwan compatriots. When the civil war in
          Cambodia broke out, the Chinese embassy lost no time in helping
          Taiwanese business people and tourists whose lives and property were
          seriously imperiled  by the war to move to safe places. All the
          above-mentioned facts reflect the Chinese government's care for
          Taiwan compatriots. When both sides of the Taiwan Straits are
          reunified, Taiwan compatriots will, together with people of all
          ethnic groups in the country, have more possibilities to fully enjoy
          the dignity and honor of the PRC in the world.
         
          Conclusion
         
          China has a long history of 5,000 years. The Chinese people have
          lived and multiplied on this land where all ethnic groups have mixed
          together, in the course of which they have evolved powerful
          cohesiveness, and the values of cherishing and safeguarding unity.
          Over the long course of history, the Chinese nation has witnessed
          changes of dynasties, transfers of governments, local separatist
          regimes, and foreign invasions, especially the untold invasions and
          dismemberment by foreign powers in modern history. However, unity
          has always been the main trend in the development of Chinese
          history. After every separation, the country was invariably
          reunified, only to be followed in its wake by rapid political,
          economic, cultural, scientific and technological development. Our
          compatriots in Taiwan have a glorious tradition of patriotism, and
          have performed brilliant exploits in the struggles against foreign
          invasions of Taiwan. Since the founding of the PRC, the Chinese
          people have particularly valued their hard-earned national
          independence, firmly upheld state sovereignty and territorial
          integrity and struggled unswervingly for reunification of the
          motherland. The 5,000-year history and culture have been implanted
          deeply in the minds of the Chinese people, sprouting the strong
          national consciousness of the need for national unification.
         
          The Chinese government hopes that the international community will
          follow the principle of one China now and always and that the U.S.
          government will earnestly fulfil all the principles concerning the
          Taiwan issue in the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques, and its
          solemn promise to uphold the One-China Principle.
         
          As the Chinese government has successively resumed the exercise of
          sovereignty over Hong Kong and Macao, the people of the whole of
          China are eager to resolve the Taiwan issue as early as possible and
          realize the total reunification of the country. They cannot allow
          the resolution of the Taiwan issue to be postponed indefinitely. We
          firmly believe that the total reunification of China will be
          achieved through the joint efforts of the entire Chinese people
          including compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits and those
          living overseas.