"In recent years,mutual economic promotion, the considerable increase in person-to-person contacts and the frequent exchanges indicate that the development of cross-Straits relations is in line with popular feeling and the general trend," he said.

Major General Huang Tianming, former deputy chief of staff of the Air Force of the Guangzhou Military Command under the People's Liberation Army, stressed that people in Taiwan know that their yearning for reunification is the same as a yearning for peace.

Recalling the time he crossed over from Taiwan to the mainland 32 years ago, Huang, then a lieutenant with the Taiwan air force, said all his relatives, friends and colleagues in Taiwan envied his better life on the mainland.

Huang, also a member of the Ninth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said the attempt by Taiwan's new leader to evade the one-China policy was against the prerequisite and basis of the peaceful reunification across the Taiwan Straits.

"We love and treasure peace, but when it comes to the fundamental problems concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, there is no space for compromise," Huang stated.

Cai, a native of Taiwan who left nearly 50 years ago and is now a member of the Standing Committee of China's political consultative body, said he is very optimistic about the development of cross-Straits relations.

The people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits feel the need to promote cross-Straits relations and realize direct links in trade, transportation and postal services, he said.

The majority of people in industrial and commercial circles in Taiwan are for the development of cross-Straits relations and oppose "Taiwan independence," Cai pointed out, adding that many Taiwan businessmen he knows are willing to see the realization of complete reunification.

"This is because they know that the political and social stability of the mainland holds out a great many opportunities for Taiwan compatriots," he said.

The total trade volume across the Straits exceeded US$30 billion in 2000, and Taiwan's share of this trade gave it a huge favourable balance, about US$20 billion.

Cai said that after the reunification of the nation, the two sides of the Taiwan Straits can pool their resources and make common cause in economic development.

The Taiwan authorities' policy of "avoiding impatience and adopting patience" is unreasonable and will fall through, and their "independence of Taiwan" and "two States" pipe dreams will be dashed, Cai said.

(China Daily 03/06/2001)