01/10/1999, updated at 16:00Zhu: Complete Reunification of China Will Be Realized
Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said "we are convinced that with concerted efforts of the entire Chinese people, the Taiwan question will be resolved at an early date following the return of Hong Kong and Macao and the complete reunification of China will be realized."
He made the remarks at a reception marking the 50 anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China held at the Great Hall of the People on evening September 30 in Beijing.
"To resolve the Taiwan question and realize the complete reunification of the motherland is the lofty aspiration and sacred mission of the entire Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots," he said.
He stressed that "over the past 50 years, the CPC, the Chinese Government and people have fought a long and unremitting struggle for that, which has helped firmly safeguard the status of Taiwan as part of Chinese territory and vigorously promoted economic, cultural and personnel exchanges across the Taiwan Straits.
"Currently, we are engaged in a campaign against Lee Teng-hui's 'two states theory' and for the state sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is in full accord with the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation," he said.
On Taiwan's recent strong earthquake, Zhu said that "we are very much concerned about this big disaster. We have expressed our deep sympathy to our compatriots in Taiwan and we stand ready to continue to render assistance and aid to them as far as we can."
He said that "we will continue to pursue the basic policy of 'peaceful reunification, and one country, two systems' and President Jiang Zemin's eight-point proposal on the development of the cross-Straits relations and the advancement of the process of peaceful reunification of the motherland."
WorldNews 1999-10-01 Page2
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