China Releases White Paper on Taiwan Question and Reunification
The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China published a white paper titled "The Taiwan Question and China's Reunification in the New Era" on August 10.
The white paper was released to reiterate the fact that Taiwan is part of China, to demonstrate the resolve of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese people and their commitment to national reunification, and to emphasize the position and policies of the CPC and the Chinese government in the new era.
Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times. This statement has a sound basis in history and jurisprudence, according to the white paper.
The UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 is a political document encapsulating the one-China principle whose legal authority leaves no room for doubt and has been acknowledged worldwide, says the white paper.
The one-China principle represents the universal consensus of the international community; it is consistent with the basic norms of international relations, says the white paper.
"We are one China, and Taiwan is part of China. This is an indisputable fact supported by history and the law. Taiwan has never been a state; its status as part of China is unalterable," says the white paper.
The CPC is committed to the historic mission of resolving the Taiwan question and realizing China's complete reunification. Under its resolute leadership, people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have worked together to de-escalate tension across the Strait. They have set out on a path of peaceful development and made many breakthroughs in improving cross-Strait relations, according to the white paper.
Under the guidance of the CPC, great progress has been made in cross-Strait relations over the past seven decades, especially since the estrangement between the two sides was ended. Increased exchanges, broader cooperation and closer interactions have brought tangible benefits to people across the Strait, especially of Taiwan. This fully demonstrates that cross-Strait amity and cooperation are mutually beneficial, says the white paper.
"The realization of complete national reunification is driven by the history and culture of the Chinese nation and determined by the momentum towards and circumstances surrounding our national rejuvenation. Never before have we been so close to, confident in, and capable of achieving the goal of national rejuvenation. The same is true when it comes to our goal of complete national reunification," says the white paper.
China's development and progress -- in particular, the great achievements over four decades of reform, opening up and modernization -- have had a profound impact on the historical process of resolving the Taiwan question and realizing complete national reunification, according to the white paper.
The actions of the Democratic Progressive Party authorities have resulted in tension in cross-Strait relations, endangering peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and undermining the prospects and restricting the space for peaceful reunification. These are obstacles that must be removed in advancing the process of peaceful reunification, says the white paper.
External forces have encouraged and instigated provocative actions by the separatist forces; these have intensified cross-Strait tension and confrontation, and undermined peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. This runs counter to the underlying global trends of peace, development and win-win cooperation, and goes against the wishes of the international community and the aspiration of all peoples, says the white paper.
Relying on external forces will achieve nothing for Taiwan's separatists, and using Taiwan to contain China is doomed to fail. The wheel of history rolls on towards national reunification, and it will not be stopped by any individual or any force, says the white paper.
Peaceful reunification and "one country, two systems" are our basic principles for resolving the Taiwan question and the best approach to realizing national reunification. Embodying the Chinese wisdom -- we thrive by embracing each other -- they take full account of Taiwan's realities and are conducive to long-term stability in Taiwan after reunification, according to the white paper.
"To realize peaceful reunification, we must acknowledge that the mainland and Taiwan have their own distinct social systems and ideologies. The 'one country, two systems' principle is the most inclusive solution to this problem. It is an approach that is grounded in democratic principles, demonstrates good will, seeks peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question, and delivers mutual benefit. The differences in social system are neither an obstacle to reunification nor a justification for secessionism," says the white paper.
"We are ready to create vast space for peaceful reunification; but we will leave no room for separatist activities in any form," it says.
"We will work with the greatest sincerity and exert our utmost efforts to achieve peaceful reunification. But we will not renounce the use of force, and we reserve the option of taking all necessary measures. This is to guard against external interference and all separatist activities. In no way does it target our fellow Chinese in Taiwan. Use of force would be the last resort taken under compelling circumstances," it adds.
The future of Taiwan lies in China's reunification, and the wellbeing of the people in Taiwan hinges on the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. "We will join hands with our fellow Chinese in Taiwan to strive for national reunification and rejuvenation," says the white paper.
Once peaceful reunification is achieved under "one country, two systems," it will lay new foundations for China to make further progress and achieve national rejuvenation. At the same time, it will create huge opportunities for social and economic development in Taiwan and bring tangible benefits to the people of Taiwan, it says.
Peaceful cross-Strait reunification is of benefit not only to the Chinese nation, but to all peoples and the international community as a whole, says the white paper.
Spokesperson's Remarks on White Paper
A spokesperson for the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee made remarks on the newly published white paper on August 10.
In August 1993 and February 2000, the Chinese government published two previous white papers on Taiwan. These two white papers provided a comprehensive and systematic elaboration of the basic principles and policies regarding the resolution of the Taiwan question, said the spokesperson.
As China's national rejuvenation has become a historical inevitability, we now have better conditions, more confidence, and greater capabilities to achieve national reunification. As China embarked on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects, it is necessary to issue a new white paper on national reunification, said the spokesperson.
The white paper was released to reiterate the fact that Taiwan is part of China, to demonstrate the resolve of the CPC and the Chinese people and their commitment to national reunification, and to emphasize the position and policies of the CPC and the Chinese government in the new era, the spokesperson said.
Under the current complex international and cross-Strait situation, the release of the white paper is conducive to exposing the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces' collusion with external forces in making provocations, as well as their vicious words and deeds that attempt to undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity or stand in the way of its reunification, the spokesperson said.
The white paper conveyed the CPC and the Chinese government's willingness to continue to work with the greatest sincerity and utmost efforts to achieve peaceful reunification and win over the understanding and support of compatriots on both sides of the Strait, especially Taiwan compatriots, and the international community, said the spokesperson, adding that the white paper will help pool strength to advance national reunification.
Peaceful cross-Strait reunification is of benefit not only to the Chinese nation, but to all peoples and the international community as a whole. We hope Taiwan compatriots will stand on the right side of history, be proud of their Chinese identity, and fully consider the position and role of Taiwan in China's rejuvenation. We hope they will pursue the greater good of the nation, resolutely oppose separatism and any form of external interference, and make a positive contribution to the just cause of China's peaceful reunification, said the spokesperson.
The spokesperson expressed the hope that Hong Kong and Macao compatriots and overseas Chinese will remain committed and further contribute to the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and China's peaceful reunification.
The spokesperson also expressed the hope that the international community and all countries that have established diplomatic ties with China will abide by the one-China principle, properly handle Taiwan-related issues, develop better understanding and give more support to the Chinese people for their just cause of opposing "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and striving for national reunification.
(Excerpted from articles published by Xinhua, August 10, 2022)
This article was published in
Volume 52 Number 6 - August 17, 2022
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/Tmlm2022/Articles/MS52063.HTM
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