Chinese President Hu Jintao says secessionist activities in Taiwan have become the greatest menace to China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. But, he says, those activities are doomed to fail.
Hu, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a speech to political advisors attending the first annual full session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Hu Jintao said the Taiwan issue concerns China's reunification, and is crucial to the country's interests. He said China will adhere to the guideline of the "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems." Hu said the mainland will never waver in its determination for the one China principle, and will not give up efforts for a peaceful solution of the issue. He hopes Taiwan compatriots will not change their stance and continue to oppose the secessionists on the island.
Hu strongly believes "Taiwan independence" activities have become the biggest menace to national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the biggest obstacle to the development of cross-Strait relations, and the biggest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.
Hu Jintao stressed it's an undeniable fact that peaceful development of cross-strait relations is beneficial to both mainlanders and Taiwan compatriots. He called for united efforts to develop new scenarios to the cross-straits relations, and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Hu pledged the mainland will make utmost efforts for the interests of Taiwan compatriots and will work hard to safeguard peace in the Taiwan Straits and promote the peaceful reunification of the motherland.
As for the realization of the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, Hu said China will take adherence to the one-China principle as the foundation, with seeking benefits for compatriots on both sides of the Straits as the objective, and approach the situation with the goal of deepening mutually-beneficial exchanges and cooperation.
He adds negotiations will be conducted on an equal footing with complete openness on all topics. He said there is nothing that can not be discussed.
Chinese president Hu Jintao said, "Both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China. China is a common home to people across the straits. Any issue concerning Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity will need a joint decision by Taiwan compatriots and people from the mainland. We will never allow the secessionists to separate Taiwan from China at any excuse or in any way. The 'Taiwan independence' activities have run counter to the Chinese nation's strong will to safeguard national unity. Such activities will get nowhere and are doomed to fail. Although the peaceful development of cross straits relations are still facing some resistance and obstacles, in the future there might inevitably be some up and downs. We are determined to promote the peaceful development of cross-straits relations, and we will never waver in our determination."
Hu said China is always committed to its pledges to Taiwan compatriots and will never sway with temporary fluctuations of the situation, or change because of a few individuals' deliberate disturbances.
He added China is looking forward to the formal end of the state of hostility across the Straits through joint efforts by both sides and consultations based on the one-China principle. Hu Jintao said he hopes to reach a peace agreement and build up a framework for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.
