Yang Guoqing, president of the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, told China Daily that Jiang's message was received warmly by Taiwan compatriots and boosted their confidence in the peaceful reunification of the motherland.

The principle of peaceful reunification, the formula of "one country, two systems," and the eight-point proposal put forward by Jiang represent the trend of the modern era and fully accord with the fundamental interests of Taiwan compatriots, Yang said.

Separatism is against the will of the majority of Taiwan people and is doomed to failure, said Yang, who is also vice-president of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and head of the Taiwan delegation to the congress.

Jiang reiterated in his report the principle of pinning hopes on the people in Taiwan for the settlement of the Taiwan question and fully respecting the lifestyle and wishes of Taiwan people to be masters of the country.

He once again appealed to the Taiwan authorities that the two sides should shelve certain political disputes and resume cross-Straits dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible on the basis of the one-China principle.

"From these words, we can sense the Party's full trust, high expectation and sincere regards towards Taiwan compatriots," said Yang.

But Taiwan "leader" Chen Shui-bian refused to accept the one-China principle and the "one country, two systems" formula in a speech last Saturday. He even accused the mainland of paying no respect to democracy nor the wishes of the public in Taiwan, Yang said.

"Such claims are totally groundless," Yang said.

"Chen's ambition to separate Taiwan from the motherland is crystal clear. Here democracy is nothing but a mask worn by Chen to hide his ill intention."

Listening to the voice of Taiwan compatriots, respecting their wishes and protecting their fundamental interests are the soul of the Party's Taiwan policy, Yang said.

The mainstream wishes of Taiwan compatriots are currently to seek peace, stability and development. These are fully respected by the Party, Yang stressed.

"It is Chen Shui-bian who tramples on democracy and public will," Yang stated.

(China Daily November 12, 2002)