Mainland fights against 'Taiwan independence'

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-10-31 19:07

BEIJING -- The Chinese mainland on Wednesday warned it would take "necessary measures" if "Taiwan independence" forces continued to push their activities.

If "Taiwan independence" forces clung to their course, the mainland "will definitely take necessary measures to safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity and protect our nation's core interests", said Yang Yi, spokesman of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

The priority is to prevent the Taiwan authorities, headed by Chen Shui-bian, from promoting a "referendum" on Taiwan's bid to enter into the United Nations, and fight secessionist actions for "de jure independence", Yang said.

"We will never compromise on the issue of secession and never accept 'Taiwan independence'," he said at a press conference.

Yang also expressed strong opposition to Taiwan's development of nuclear weapons, in response to a journalist's question on Chen Shui-bian's remark that Taiwan would not develop nuclear weapons, but needed to improve its defense capability.

"We have noticed the reports," Yang said. "We are uncompromisingly against Taiwan's development of nuclear weapons or nuclear weapon capability in any form."

The report to the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) by Hu Jintao set the tone for the mainland's policies on Taiwan, Yang said.

"We will never waver in our commitment to the one-China principle, never abandon our efforts to achieve peaceful reunification, never change the policy of placing our hopes on the people of Taiwan and never compromise in our opposition to the secessionist activities aimed at 'Taiwan independence'," he quoted Hu's report as saying.

In his report, Hu for the first time talked about a peace agreement across the Taiwan Strait, calling for discussion of a formal end to the state of hostility between the two sides on the basis of the one-China principle.

The mainland is willing to talk with any political party in Taiwan that agrees that both sides of the Strait belong to one and the same China, Yang said.

The mainland will also continue working on issues concerning the interests of Taiwan compatriots, including promoting trade, charter flights and tourism across the Strait, he said.



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