With joint efforts by the compatriots from both sides of the Taiwan Straits, positive elements that are helpful for curbing the splittist activities of the "Taiwan independence" forces increased in the past year, the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office said today.

 

Its spokesperson Li Weiyi said at a press conference, "The trend that the cross-Straits relations develop toward the direction of peace and stability has been enhanced."

 

"The exchange and cooperation in such aspects as personnel, economy and culture have also moved forward," he said.

 

On March 4, 2005, President Hu Jintao delivered a speech explaining how to develop cross-Straits relations under new circumstances.

 

"In the past year, we carried out a series of major activities to safeguard peace and stability in the cross-Straits region and promote the development of cross-Straits relations," Li said.

 

The adoption of the Anti-Secession Law by the National People's Congress (NPC) exhibited the mainland's extreme sincerity of seeking China's peaceful reunification with every possible effort and the firm decision of no toleration for "Taiwan independence," he said.

 

Besides, Hu invited the leaders of the Kuomintang and the People First Party to visit the mainland, which reaped significant fruits.

 

At the same time, the mainland yielded a series of favorable policies and measures for Taiwan compatriots, Li said.

 

"All the measures had won extensive support from the people across the Straits and high scores from international community," he added.

 

However, he said, the "Taiwan independence" forces didn't cease their splittist activities and, as a result, the source of the tension across the Straits remained.

 

"The situation for opposing and curbing the splittist forces and their activities is still serious and complex," he noted.

 

What deserves special attention is that the leaders of the Taiwan authorities had brought up again the timetable of its "constitutional reform," shifted its promotion strategy and puffed its "Taiwan independence," he said.

 

It's one of the most urgent tasks for the compatriots across the Straits to unswervingly curb the splittist activities and safeguard peace and stability in the cross-Straits region, he said.

 

Commenting on Chen Shui-bian's New Year talk, Li said, "We've not only noticed the speech, but also the comments by various circles of Taiwan and international community."

 

"We also believe Taiwan compatriots can clearly see the essence of his talk," he stressed.

 

Taiwan compatriots have a stronger wish for social stability, economic prosperity, peaceful and smooth development of cross-Straits relations, he added.

 

Anyone who retroacts in terms of cross-Straits relations, disregarding the people's well-being, will finally damage the interests of Taiwan compatriots, he said.

  

Looking into the new year, the mainland will strive for peaceful and smooth development of cross-Straits relations, Li said.

 

"We will adhere to the fundamental policy of peaceful reunification and 'one country, two systems', the eight-point proposal on developing cross-Straits relations and promoting peaceful reunification of the country, and the four-point guideline on cross-Straits relations put forward by Hu, he said.

 

"We will continue to unit with Taiwan compatriots and overseas Chinese to further promote cross-Straits personnel and economic exchanges and cooperation, promote the early realization of the 'three direct links' across the Straits," he said.

 

The mainland will continue extensive exchanges and dialogues with parties, organizations and personages of various circles in Taiwan who oppose "Taiwan independence," acknowledge the "1992 Consensus," and maintain the development of cross-Straits relations, he said.

 

As long as the Taiwan authorities acknowledge the one-China principle and the "1992 Consensus," the cross-Straits dialogue can be resumed, he said, stressing "any topic can be discussed."

 

"We have full confidence in the prospects of cross-Straits relations and peaceful reunification of the country," he said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2006)