Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for coming. Today's topic is Taiwan.

The Taiwan question includes the following three aspects: First of all, it is a question left over by the civil war in China.On October 1, 1949, the People's Republic of China was founded and the defeated Kuomingtang military and political officials retreated to Taiwan. They set up a separate regime in Taiwan by the force of arms with the support of the then U.S.A. The whole issue only involves the relationship between the Government of the People's Republic of China, which is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China and local Taiwan authorities. It is purely China's internal affair. Secondly, it is a question of safeguarding state sovereignty and territorial integrity, defending national honour and opposing external interference by the Chinese government and people. Thirdly, it is in essence a struggle between the forces for and against division, and between the forces for and against "Taiwan independence", and the focus is the struggle between one China and "two Chinas".

On 30 January 1995, the then Chinese President Jiang Zemin made a speech entitled Continuing to Endeavor for the Accomplishment of the Grand Cause of Reunification of the Motherland, and put forward an eight-point proposal on the development of cross-Straits relations and the advancement of peaceful national reunification for the current stage. The eight-point proposal comprehensively elaborates the Chinese government's policy on the settlement of Taiwan question, and includes the following:

-Adhering to the principle of one China is the basis and prerequisite for peaceful reunification. -We do not have objections to the development of non-governmental economic and cultural ties between Taiwan and other countries. However, we oppose Taiwan's activities in expanding its living space internationally, aimed at creating "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan." -We shall hold negotiations with Taiwan authorities on the peaceful reunification of the motherland. On the premise that there is only one China, we are prepared to talk with the Taiwan authorities about any matter. As a first step, negotiations should be held on officially ending the state of hostility between the two sides under the principle that there is only one China. -We shall try our best to achieve the peaceful reunification of China. Chinese should not fight against Chinese.-Facing the world economic development in the 21st century, we shall spare no effort to develop economic exchange and cooperation between the two sides separated by the Taiwan Straits, so that both sides enjoy a flourishing economy and the whole Chinese nation benefits. -People on both sides should jointly inherit and carry forward the fine traditions of the Chinese culture. -The 21 million Taiwan people, whether born there or in other provinces, are Chinese and our own flesh and blood. -We welcome leaders of Taiwan to visit the mainland in their proper status. We also are ready to accept invitations to visit Taiwan.

In the new century, to deal with the new changes in the Taiwan Straits, Chinese President Hu Jintao outlines four new points regarding cross-Straits relation in the new situation: strictly adhere to the one-China principle, never diminish efforts to seek peaceful reunification, never change the principle of offering hopes to the Taiwan people, and never compromise in the struggle against "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities.

Over the last year, we have taken a series of significant measures to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and promote cross-Straits relations. The National People's Congress of China formulated the Anti-secession Law, which shows the utmost sincerity of the Chinese people to strive with the utmost effort for a peaceful reunification and our unswerving resolve to never tolerate "Taiwan independence." The leaders of Kuomingtang and the People First Party visited the mainland in succession at the invitation of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Secretary Hu Jintao. The visits made important results and led the cross-Straits relations to develop toward peace and stability. The CPC and central government have taken the initiative to make a series of policies and measures benefiting Taiwan compatriots and promoted closer the communications, interests and sentiments of cross-Straits compatriots. The important measures won broad support of cross-Straits compatriots and were highly appraised by the international opinions.

On 29 January 2006, on the occasion of Chinese lunar spring festival, the leader in the Taiwan region Chen Shui-bian made "Taiwan independence" remarks and proposed the termination of "National Unification Guidelines", formulation of a "new constitution" and "the application for United Nations membership under the name of Taiwan". Chen publicly betrayed his own "four no's plus one" commitment. In his "four no's" pledge, Chen promised not to declare Taiwan independence, incorporate the "two states' idea into its constitution, or to promote a referendum on changing the status quo regarding independence. He challenged the one China principle which is commonly abided by the international community and advocated to speed up his so-called "constitutional reform", in an attempt to realize "Taiwan's de jure independence". This demonstrates once again that he is a troublemaker and saboteur of cross-Straits ties and peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

      Chen Shui-bian's remarks about "Taiwan independence" aroused numerous attacks by the people and opposition parties in Taiwan, unceasing denouncements by overseas Chinese and incessant queries from the international community. Taiwan has been an inseparable part of China's territory since antiquity. Both the 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation have reaffirmed in unequivocal terms China's sovereignty over Taiwan as a matter of international law. There is but one China in the world, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China. This is an objective reality that cannot be changed by anybody. To date, more than 160 countries in the world have diplomatic relations with China. They all recognize the one-China principle, and they all recognize that Taiwan is a part of China. The UN Organizations have also consistently adhered to these principles. No sovereign State in the world would allow one of its provinces or regions to participate in the work or activities of the UN, an organization composed of sovereign States only.

      Taiwan compatriots are our brothers and sisters. We will not change our solemn promise made to them because of the deliberate provocation made by the Taiwan authority leader. We will try our utmost efforts to do whatever is conducive to the Taiwan compatriots, to closer cross-Straits exchanges, to peace in the Taiwan Straits, and to the development of cross-Straits relations and the prospect of peaceful reunification. We have the confidence, the sincerity, and the patience to open a bright prospect for cross-Straits relations, by strengthening communications and understanding with the Taiwan compatriots through full exchanges, vigorous cooperation and mutual accommodation, so as to dispel all misgivings and estrangement deliberately created by the separatist forces, and overcome the difficulties and obstacles they have erected.

Since the establishment of our diplomatic ties, the Indian government has always adhered to the one China policy and never changed its position. The Chinese side appreciates it. We hold that, India is an important member state in Asia and a major rising country in the developing world. India has a tradition of maintaining independent foreign policy and is the country shouldering important responsibilities for world and regional peace and stability. India remains committed to the policy of one China in long-term, sets a responsible state image of sticking to principle and safeguarding stability, and contributes to greater peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and the Asia-Pacific Region as a whole. The "Taiwan independence" forces are moving against the tide of history and undermine the fundamental interests of all countries in the region, including India. We believe that India would honor its commitments on the Taiwan question, and refrain from sending any wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" forces. We also welcome India, as a major country in Asia, to continuously play a positive role in maintaining regional peace and promoting common development.