Proper handling of the Taiwan question, which was and remains the most important and sensitive issue in China-US relations, is the key to a stable and growing relationship between the two countries, a senior official said yesterday.

Signed on February 28, 1971, "the Shanghai Communique put an end to 23 years of mutual estrangement between China and the United States and opened the door for their renewed exchanges," said State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan at a meeting to mark the 32nd anniversary of the issuance of the communique.

The communique laid down some basic guiding principles for the conduct of Sino-US relations, Tang said. The principles were subsequently reaffirmed and expanded in the Communique on the Establishment of China-US Diplomatic Relations and August 17th Communique.

"The very core of the three joint communiques is the one-China principle," he stressed.

China hopes the United States will stick to the one-China policy, abide by the principles of the three joint communiques, oppose Taiwan independence and uphold its stated position on the issue of Taiwan's referendum so as to preserve the common interests of China and the United States and maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, the councilor said.

"Peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" is the fundamental principle to resolve the Taiwan question, he said. To this, the Chinese government and people have made long-term unremitting efforts.

A peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question conforms to the interest of the United States and China, agreed the US Ambassador to China Clark T. Randt in his speech.

However, Tang noted the separatist forces in Taiwan have turned their back on the fundamental interests of the Taiwan people and the common well-being of the people across the Straits by pushing for Taiwan independence, erecting one barrier after another to cross-Straits relations and creating endless troubles to hamper peace in the Taiwan Straits.

"Facts have proved that the referendum which the leader of the Taiwan authorities is launching unilaterally has nothing to do with democracy in Taiwan's society; neither will it serve peace in Taiwan," he said.

"It can only aggravate the divisiveness and turbulence in Taiwan and lead to tensions across the Straits. Such a provocative action is bound to meet widespread opposition from the people across the Straits and international community at large."

"Attempts at Taiwan independence pose the biggest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits right now," Tang said.

Tang said Sino-US relations have delivered tangible benefits to the two peoples.

Apart from frequent visits by national leaders and officials, the two governments have signed more than 30 cooperative agreements and proud results have been achieved in cooperation in law enforcement, culture, education, health care, competitive sports, Tang said.

The US ambassador said bilateral ties will be better and better in the future.

(China Daily February 28, 2004)