Zhu shows soft, tough stances on Taiwan
(XING ZHIGANG)
03/06/2003
On Taiwan policy, Premier Zhu Rongji yesterday showed both a tough and a conciliatory stance. On the one hand, he underscored the fight against the pro-independence movement on the island. On the other, he made repeated call for resumption of cross-Straits negotiations. He made the remarks in his final government work report read at the annual session of the National People's Congress. Zhu said Beijing will "strongly oppose any statements or actions aimed at creating 'Taiwan independence', 'two Chinas' or 'one China, one Taiwan'. "We should continue to give support to the activities of overseas Chinese communities to oppose Taiwan independence and promote national reunification," the premier told about 3,000 deputies to the top legislature. Analysts said Zhu had placed a stronger emphasis on taking a tough line on the "Taiwan independence" movement compared with his last government work report. The move signalled Beijing's growing vigilance against the creeping pro-independence activities of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led by Chen Shui-bian. Since he took power in May 2000, Chen has refused to accept the one-China principle cherished by Beijing. On August 3 last year, Chen went further to preach "one country" at each side (of the Taiwan Straits), triggering new tensions in ties between the sides. Chen's remarks echoed the notorious "two states" theory put forward by his predecessor Lee Teng-hui in July 1999 in which he defined relations across the Taiwan Straits as "state-to-state". Deputy Gu Shanqing from the People's Liberation Army delegation, said Zhu's remarks reflect the mainland's long-standing stance of never allowing anybody to separate Taiwan from China in any way. "Our Taiwan policy has always been coherent and will be maintained," said Gu, former political commissar of the Beijing Military Area. During his report, Zhu also called for an early establishment of the three direct links - trade, transport and postal services across the Straits. Taipei has been dragging its feet on lifting its decades-old ban on the three links despite mounting pressure from within the island. The premier said the mainland will "further expand the scope of personnel visits across the Straits as well as exchanges and co-operation in the economic, cultural and other fields". Meanwhile, exchanges of views will also be strengthened. These will involve all political parties and prominent people of various circles in Taiwan. They will discuss ways to develop cross-Straits relations and promote peaceful reunification.
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