Led by Comrade Hu Jintao as the general secretary, the CPC Central Committee has attached great importance to strengthening Taiwan work and developed major policies and plans in light of the new changes in the Taiwan Strait situation. During the past five years, positive factors that helped to curb "Taiwan Independence" have grown. Cross-strait relations have developed in the direction of peace and stability. However, separatist activities of the Chen Shui-bian administration in pursuit of "Taiwan independence" also escalated, posing a serious threat to peace in the Taiwan Strait.
--Resolutely curbed and struck at "Taiwan independence" separatist activities; maintained national sovereignty and territorial integrity; and safeguarded peace in the Taiwan Strait.
On March 14, 2005, the Third Session of the Tenth National People's Congress passed the "Anti-secessionist law." This important law legalizes the general policy of the CPC and the Chinese government on the resolution of the Taiwan issue; and fully demonstrates the Chinese mainland's sincerity and efforts toward the peaceful reunification of China. Meanwhile, it also shows the will and determination of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity; and never allows the "Taiwan independence" separatists to break Taiwan away by any means.
--Put forward new explanation on cross-strait relations in new situation.
On March 4, 2005, Party General Secretary Hu Jintao made an important speech on the Taiwan issue, in which he proposed four key points for the development of cross-strait relations in the new situation: 1. never abandon the one China principle; 2. never give up the efforts to strive for peaceful reunification; 3. never change the policy to place hope in Taiwan compatriots; 4. never compromise in opposing "Taiwan independence" separatist activities. These four points are the guiding principles for the present status of the Taiwan issue.
--Created a new situation in cross-strait exchanges between political parties.
In April and May of 2005, at the invitation of General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Hu Jintao, Kuomintang Chairman Lien Chan and People First Party Chairman James Soong led a delegation to visit the mainland. General Secretary Hu held formal talks with Lien Chan and James Soong, and the two sides reached a consensus on major issues such as "fighting against 'Taiwan independence';" "adhering to the "1992 consensus;" and promoting cross-strait relations. Later, they issued both a press communiqué and a communiqué of talks.
--Adhered to "people-oriented" principle and served Taiwan compatriots.
CPC General Secretary Hu Jintao said solemnly that "we will exert all efforts to do everything that we can to benefit the Taiwan compatriots; promote cross-strait exchanges; maintain the peace in the Taiwan Strait; and expedite the motherland's peaceful reunification. This is our solemn promise to the Taiwan compatriots." Over the past five years, relevant departments have carried out the central instructions; and have introduced policies to promote cross-strait exchanges and benefit Taiwan compatriots.
--Cross-strait economic and trade exchanges and economic cooperation have made positive progress.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, by the end of June 2007, the mainland approved a total of 73,000 Taiwan-invested projects. The number increased by nearly 18,000 from 2002 – an increase of 32%. Actual investment from Taiwan reached $44.58 billion, up $11.47 billion from the end of 2002, at an increase of 35%. At the end of June 2007, cross-strait trade volume totaled $650 billion, an increase of over $390 billion from the end of 2002 – up 146%. Chinese mainland's exports to Taiwan exceeded $110 billion; and imports from Taiwan topped $540 billion. Currently, Chinese mainland is Taiwan's largest export market and largest source of trade surplus. Cross-strait agricultural exchanges and cooperation have achieved fruitful results.
--Cross-strait professional exchanges and exchanges in various fields deepened.
Currently, the scale of cross-strait professional exchanges has exceeded four million persons per annual exchange. New progress has been made in areas including cross-strait education, culture, science and technology, sports, and public health.
By People's Daily Online |
