Our fight against "Taiwan independence" secessionist elements
headed by Chen Shui-bien is a fierce struggle on safeguarding or
jeopardizing peace in the Taiwan Straits, developing or destroying
cross-Straits relations, and maintaining or undermining the fundamental
interests of compatriots on both sides of the Straits. Chert $hui-bien's
obstinate attempt to pursue a radical policy for "Taiwan independence"
and provoke full confrontation both in Taiwan and across the Taiwan
Straits will only bring disaster to Taiwan. "Taiwan independence" which
runs counter to the general trend of China's history and its present trend
of development and the aspiration of the 1.3 billion Chinese people, is
doommed to failure.
It is the shared responsibility of all Chinese, both home and abroad,
including our Taiwan compatriots, to realize peaceful reunification of the
two sides of the Taiwan Straits and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
We are committed to achieving this goal. Taiwan compatriots are our
brothers and sisters. No matter what happens, we will put ourselves in
their position, give ful] consideration to their need and do our utmost to
protcct their legitimate fights and interests. We will further promote
people-to-people contact and economic and cultural exchanges across the
Taiwan Straits and facilitate progress in establishing "three direct links"
between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits. We will continue to exert our
utmost to work with Taiwan compatriots with every sincerity to uphold
and promote the peaceful and stable development of cross-Straits
relations and achieve peacefu| reunification. We remain firmly opposed to
"Taiwan independence" and will never allow the secessionist elements
for "Taiwan independence" to split Taiwan from China under any name
or by any means.