Comrades and friends,
同志们,朋友们:
Following the celebration of the 1995 New Year’s Day, the people of all ethnic groups in China are now seeing in the Spring Festival. On the occasion of this traditional festival of the Chinese nation, it is of great significance for the Taiwan compatriots in Beijing and other personages concerned to be gathered here to discuss the future of the relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits and the great cause of the peaceful reunification of the motherland. On behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, I should like to take this opportunity to wish our 21 million compatriots in Taiwan a happy New Year and the best of luck
全国各族人民刚刚欢度了一九九五年元旦,又迎来了乙亥年春节。在这中华民族的传统节日来临之际,在京的台湾同胞和有关人士欢聚一堂,共话两岸关系前景和祖国和平统一大业,是一件很有意义的事。借此机会,我谨代表中共中央、国务院,向两千一百万台湾同胞祝贺新年,祝愿台湾同胞新春快乐,万事如意!
Taiwan is an integral part of China. A hundred years ago on April 17, 1895, the Japanese imperialists, by waging a war against the corrupt government of the Qing Dynasty, forced the latter to sign the Shimonoseki Treaty of national betrayal and humiliation. Under the treaty, Japan seized Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, subjecting the people of Taiwan to its colonial rule for half a century. The Chinese people will never forget this humiliating chapter of their history. Fifty years ago, together with the people of other countries, the Chinese people defeated the Japanese imperialists. October 25, 1945 saw the return of Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to China and marked the end of Japan’s colonial rule over our compatriots in Taiwan. However, for reasons everybody knows, Taiwan has been severed from the Chinese mainland since 1949. It remains the sacred mission and lofty goal of the entire Chinese people to achieve the reunification of the motherland and promote the all-round revitalization of the Chinese nation.
台湾是中国不可分割的一部分。一百年前,一八九五年四月十七日,日本帝国主义以战争的手段逼迫腐败的清朝政府签订了丧权辱国的《马关条约》,强行攫取了台湾与澎湖列岛,使台湾人民在日本殖民统治下生活了半个世纪之久。中国人民永远不会忘记这屈辱的一页。五十年前,中国人民同世界人民一道战胜了日本帝国主义,一九四五年十月二十五日,台湾与澎湖列岛重归中国版图,台湾同胞从此摆脱了殖民统治的枷锁。但是,由于众所周知的原因,一九四九年以后,台湾又与祖国大陆处于分离状态。实现祖国的完全统一,促进中华民族的全面振兴,仍然是所有中国人的神圣使命和崇高目标。
Since the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress issued its “Message to the Taiwan Compatriots” in January 1979, we have formulated the basic principles of peaceful reunification and “one country, two systems” and a series of policies towards Taiwan. Comrade Deng Xiaoping, the chief architect of China’s reform and opening to the outside world, is also the inventor of the great concept of “one country, two systems”. With foresight and seeking truth from facts, he put forward a series of important theories and ideas concerning the settlement of the Taiwan question which reflect the distinct features of the times, and defined the guiding principles for the peaceful reunification of the motherland.
一九七九年一月,全国人民代表大会常务委员会发表《告台湾同胞书》以来,我们制定了“和平统一、一国两制”的基本方针和一系列对台政策。邓小平同志是中国改革开放的总设计师,也是“一个国家、两种制度”伟大构想的创造者。邓小平同志高瞻远瞩,实事求是,提出了一系列具有鲜明时代特色的解决台湾问题的重要论断和思想,确立了实现祖国和平统一的指导方针。
Comrade Deng Xiaoping has pointed out that the most important issue is the reunification of the motherland. All descendants of the Chinese nation wish to see China reunified. It is against the will of the Chinese nation to see it divided. There is only one China, and Taiwan is a part of China. We will never allow there to be “two Chinas”, or “one China, one Taiwan”. We firmly oppose the “independence of Taiwan”. There are only two ways to settle the Taiwan question: One is by peaceful means and the other is by non-peaceful means. The way the Taiwan question is to be settled is China’s internal affair and brooks no foreign interference. We consistently stand for achieving reunification by peaceful means and through negotiations. But we shall not undertake not to use force. Such commitment would only make it impossible to achieve peaceful reunification and could not but lead to the eventual settlement of the question by the use of force. After Taiwan is reunified with the mainland, China will pursue the policy of “one country, two systems”. The main part of the country will stick to the socialist system, while Taiwan will retain its current system. “Reunification does not mean that the mainland will swallow up Taiwan, nor does it mean that Taiwan will swallow up the mainland.” After Taiwan’s reunification with the mainland, its social and economic systems will not change, nor will its way of life and its non-governmental relations with foreign countries, which means that foreign investments in Taiwan and the non-governmental exchanges between Taiwan and other countries will not be affected. As a special administrative region, Taiwan will exercise a high degree of autonomy and enjoy legislative and independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication. It may also retain its armed forces and administer its party, governmental and military systems by itself. The Central Government will not station troops or send administrative personnel there. What is more, a number of posts in the Central Government will be made available to Taiwan.
邓小平同志指出,问题的核心是祖国统一,凡是中华民族的子孙,都希望中国统一,分裂是违背民族意志的。只有一个中国,台湾是中国的一部分。不能允许有什么“两个中国”或“一中一台”,坚决反对“台湾独立”。解决台湾问题无非有两种方式,一种是和平的方式,一种是非和平的方式。用什么方式解决台湾问题,完全是中国的内政,决不允许外国干涉。我们坚持用和平的方式,通过谈判实现和平统一;同时我们不能承诺根本不使用武力,如果承诺了这一点,只能使和平统一成为不可能,只能导致最终用武力解决问题。统一以后实行“一国两制”,国家的主体坚持社会主义制度,台湾保持原有的制度。“不是我吃掉你,也不是你吃掉我”。统一后,台湾的社会经济制度不变,生活方式不变,台湾同外国的民间关系不变,包括外国在台湾的投资及民间交往不变。台湾作为特别行政区有高度的自治权,拥有立法权和司法权(包括终审权),可以有自己的军队,党、政、军等系统都由自己管理。中央政府不派军队、行政人员驻台,而且在中央政府里还要给台湾留出名额。
Over the past decade and more, under the guidance of the basic principles of peaceful reunification and “one country ,two systems” and through the concerted efforts of the compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits and in Hong Kong and Macao and Chinese residing abroad, visits back and forth by individuals and exchanges in science, technology, culture, academic affairs, sports and other fields have expanded vigorously. A situation in which the economies of the two sides promote, complement and benefit each other is taking shape. The establishment of direct links between the two sides for postal, air, and shipping services at an early date not only represents the strong desire of vast numbers of compatriots in Taiwan, particularly industrialists and businessmen, but has also become the actual requirement for future economic development in Taiwan. Progress has been registered in the negotiations on specific issues, and the “Wang Daohan-Koo Chenfu talks”, represent an important, historic step forward in the relations between the two sides.
十几年来,在“和平统一、一国两制”基本方针指引下,经过海峡两岸同胞、港澳同胞和海外侨胞的共同努力,两岸人员往来以及科技、文化、学术、体育等各领域的交流蓬勃发展。两岸经济相互促进、互补互利的局面正初步形成。早日实现两岸直接“三通”,不仅是广大台胞、特别是台湾工商业者的强烈呼声,而且成为台湾未来经济发展的实际需要。两岸事务性商谈已取得进展,“汪辜会谈”标志着两岸关系迈出了历史性的重要一步。
However, what the entire Chinese people should watch out for is the growing separatist tendency and the increasingly rampant activities of the forces working for the “independence of Taiwan” on the island in recent years. Certain foreign forces have further meddled in the issue of Taiwan, interfering in China’s internal affairs. All this not only impedes the process of China’s peaceful reunification, but also threatens peace, stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region.
但是,值得所有中国人警惕的是,近年来台湾岛内分离倾向有所发展,“台独”活动趋于猖獗。某些外国势力进一步插手台湾问题,干涉中国内政。这些活动不仅阻碍着中国和平统一的进程,而且威胁着亚太地区的和平、稳定和发展。
The current international situation is still complex and volatile, but in general, it is moving towards relaxation. All countries in the world are working out their economic strategies which face the future and taking it as a task of primary importance to increase their overall national strength so as to take up their proper places in the world in the next century. We are pleased to see that the economies of both sides are growing. In 1997 and 1999 China will resume its exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and Macao respectively, which will be happy events for the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, including our compatriots in Taiwan. The Chinese nation has experienced many vicissitudes and hardships, and now it is high time to accomplish the reunification of the motherland and bring about its all-round rejuvenation. This means an opportunity for both Taiwan and the entire Chinese nation. Here, I should like to state the following views and propositions on a number of important questions that have a bearing on the development of relations between the two sides and the promotion of the peaceful reunification of the motherland:
当前国际形势仍然复杂多变,但总的趋势是走向缓和。世界各国都在制定面向未来的经济战略,把增强综合国力作为首要任务,以求在下一世纪到来时能在世界上占有自己的位置。我们感到高兴的是,海峡两岸的经济都在向前发展。一九九七年、一九九九年,我国将相继恢复对香港和澳门行使主权,这将是全国各族人民包括台湾同胞的一件大喜事。中华民族历尽沧桑,饱经磨难,现在是完成祖国统一大业、实现全面振兴的时候了。这对台湾是个机会,对整个中华民族也是个机会。在这里,我愿就现阶段发展两岸关系、推进祖国和平统一进程的若干重要问题提出如下看法和主张。
l. Adherence to the principle of “one China” is the basis and premise for peaceful reunification. China’s sovereignty and territory must never be allowed to suffer split. We must firmly oppose any words or actions aimed at creating an “independent Taiwan” and the propositions “split the country and rule under separate regimes”, “two Chinas over a certain period of time”, etc., which are in contravention of the principle of “one China”.
(一)坚持一个中国的原则,是实现和平统一的基础和前提。中国的主权和领土决不容许分割。任何制造“台湾独立”的言论和行动,都应坚决反对;主张“分裂分治”、“阶段性两个中国”等等,违背一个中国的原则,也应坚决反对。
2. We do not challenge the development of non-governmental economic and cultural ties by Taiwan with other countries. Under the principle of “one China” and in accordance with the charters of the relevant international organizations, Taiwan has become a member of the Asian Development Bank, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum and other international economic organizations in the name of “Taipei, China” or “Chinese Taipei”. However, we oppose Taiwan’s activities in “expanding its living space internationally” which are aimed at creating “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan”. All patriotic compatriots in Taiwan and other people of insight understand that instead of solving the problems, such activities can only help the forces working for the “independence of Taiwan”, undermine the process of peaceful reunification more unscrupulously. Only after the peaceful reunification is accomplished can the Taiwan compatriots and other Chinese people of all ethnic groups truly and fully share the dignity and honour attained by our great motherland internationally.
(二)对于台湾同外国发展民间性经济文化关系,我们不持异议。在一个中国的原则下,并依据有关国际组织的章程,台湾已经以“中国台北”名义参加亚洲开发银行、亚太经济合作会议等经济性国际组织。但是,我们反对台湾以搞“两个中国”、“一中一台”为目的的所谓“扩大国际生存空间”的活动。一切爱国的台湾同胞和有识之士都会认识到,进行这类活动并不能解决问题,反而会使“台独”势力更加肆无忌惮地破坏和平统一的进程。只有实现和平统一后,台湾同胞才能与全国各族人民一道,真正充分地共享伟大祖国在国际上的尊严与荣誉。
3. It has been our consistent stand to hold negotiations with the Taiwan authorities on the peaceful reunification of the motherland. Representatives from the various political parties and mass organizations on both sides of the Taiwan Straits can be invited to participate in such talks. I said in my report at the Fourteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China held in October 1992, “On the premise that there is only one China, we are prepared to talk with the Taiwan authorities about any matter, including the form that official negotiations should take, a form that would be acceptable to both sides”. By “on the premise that there is only one China, we are prepared to talk with the Taiwan authorities about any matter”, we mean naturally that all matters of concern to the Taiwan authorities are included. We have proposed time and again that negotiations should be held on officially ending the state of hostility between the two sides and accomplishing peaceful reunification step by step. Here again I solemnly propose that such negotiations be held. I suggest that, as the first step, negotiations should be held and an agreement reached on officially ending the state of hostility between the two sides in accordance with the principle that there is only one China. On this basis, the two sides should undertake jointly to safeguard China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and map out plans for the future development of their relations. As regards the name, place and form of these political talks, a solution acceptable to both sides can certainly be found so long as consultations on an equal footing can be held at an early date.
(三)进行海峡两岸和平统一谈判,是我们的一贯主张。在和平统一谈判的过程中,可以吸收两岸各党派、团体有代表性的人士参加。我在一九九二年十月中国共产党第十四次全国代表大会的报告中说:“在一个中国的前提下,什么问题都可以谈,包括就两岸正式谈判的方式同台湾方面进行讨论,找到双方都认为合适的办法。”我们所说的“在一个中国的前提下,什么问题都可以谈”,当然也包括台湾当局关心的各种问题。我们曾经多次建议双方就“正式结束两岸敌对状态、逐步实现和平统一”进行谈判。在此,我再次郑重建议举行这项谈判,并且提议,作为第一步,双方可先就“在一个中国的原则下,正式结束两岸敌对状态”进行谈判,并达成协议。在此基础上,共同承担义务,维护中国的主权和领土完整,并对今后两岸关系的发展进行规划。至于政治谈判的名义、地点、方式等问题,只要早日进行平等协商,总可找出双方都可以接受的解决办法。
4. We should strive for the peaceful reunification of the motherland since Chinese should not fight fellow Chinese. Our not undertaking to give up the use of force is not directed against our compatriots in Taiwan, but against the schemes of foreign forces to interfere with China’s reunification and to bring about the “independence of Taiwan”. We are fully confident that our compatriots in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao and those residing overseas would understand our principled position.
(四)努力实现和平统一,中国人不打中国人。我们不承诺放弃使用武力,决不是针对台湾同胞,而是针对外国势力干涉中国统一和搞“台湾独立”的图谋的。我们完全相信台湾同胞、港澳同胞和海外侨胞理解我们的这一原则立场。
5. In face of the development of the world economy in the twenty-first century, great efforts should be made to expand the economic exchanges and cooperation between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits so as to achieve prosperity on both sides to the benefit of the entire Chinese nation. We hold that political differences should not affect or interfere with the economic cooperation between the two sides. We shall continue to implement over a long period of time the policy of encouraging industrialists and businessmen from Taiwan to invest in the mainland and enforce the Law of the People’s Republic of China for Protecting the Investment of the Compatriots of Taiwan. Whatever the circumstances may be, we shall safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of industrialists and businessmen from Taiwan. We should continue to expand contacts and exchanges between our compatriots on both sides so as to increase mutual understanding and trust. Since the direct links for postal, air and shipping services and trade between the two sides are the objective requirements for their economic development and contacts in various fields, and since they are in the interests of the people on both sides, it is absolutely necessary to adopt practical measures to speed up the establishment of such direct links. Efforts should be made to promote negotiations on certain specific issues between the two sides. We are in favour of conducting this kind of negotiations on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit and signing non-governmental agreements on the protection of the rights and interests of industrialists and businessmen from Taiwan.
(五)面向21世纪世界经济的发展,要大力发展两岸经济交流与合作,以利于两岸经济共同繁荣,造福整个中华民族。我们主张不以政治分歧去影响、干扰两岸经济合作。我们将继续长期执行鼓励台商投资的政策,贯彻《中华人民共和国台湾同胞投资保护法》。不论在什么情况下,我们都将切实维护台商的一切正当权益。要继续加强两岸同胞的相互往来和交流,增进了解和互信。两岸直接通邮、通航、通商,是两岸经济发展和各方面交往的客观需要,也是两岸同胞利益之所在,完全应当采取实际步骤加速实现直接“三通”。要促进两岸事务性商谈。我们赞成在互惠互利的基础上,商谈并且签订保护台商投资权益的民间性协议。
6. The splendid culture of five thousand years created by the sons and daughters of all ethnic groups of China has become ties keeping the entire Chinese people close at heart and constitutes an important basis for the peaceful reunification of the motherland. People on both sides of the Taiwan Straits should inherit and carry forward the fine traditions of the Chinese culture.
(六)中华各族儿女共同创造的五千年灿烂文化,始终是维系全体中国人的精神纽带,也是实现和平统一的一个重要基础。两岸同胞要共同继承和发扬中华文化的优秀传统。
7. The 21 million compatriots in Taiwan, whether born there or in other provinces, are all Chinese and our own flesh and blood. We should fully respect their life style and their wish to be the masters of our country and protect all their legitimate rights and interests. The relevant departments of our party and the government including the agencies stationed abroad should strengthen close ties with compatriots from Taiwan, listen to their views and demands, be concerned with and take into account their interests and make every effort to help them solve their problems. We hope that Taiwan Island enjoys social stability, economic growth and affluence. We also hope that all political parties in Taiwan will adopt a sensible, forward looking and constructive attitude and promote the expansion of relations between the two sides. All parties and personages of all circles in Taiwan are welcome to exchange views with us on relations between the two sides and on peaceful reunification and are also welcome to pay a visit and tour places. All personages from various circles who have contributed to the reunification of China will go down in history for their deeds.
(七)两千一百万台湾同胞,不论是台湾省籍还是其他省籍,都是中国人,都是骨肉同胞、手足兄弟。要充分尊重台湾同胞的生活方式和当家作主的愿望,保护台湾同胞一切正当权益。我们党和政府各有关部门,包括驻外机构,要加强与台湾同胞的联系,倾听他们的意见和要求,关心、照顾他们的利益,尽可能帮助他们解决困难。我们希望台湾岛内社会安定、经济发展、生活富裕;也希望台湾各党派以理性、前瞻和建设性的态度推动两岸关系发展。我们欢迎台湾各党派、各界人士,同我们交换有关两岸关系与和平统一的意见,也欢迎他们前来参观、访问。凡是为中国统一作出贡献的各方面人士,历史将永远铭记他们的功绩。
8. Leaders of the Taiwan authorities are welcome to pay visits in appropriate capacities. We are also ready to accept invitations from the Taiwan side to visit Taiwan. We can discuss state affairs or exchange ideas on certain questions first. Even a simple visit to the other side will be useful. The affairs of Chinese people should be handled by ourselves, something that does not take an international occasion to accomplish. Separated across the Straits, our people eagerly look forward to meeting each other. They should be able to exchange visits instead of being kept from seeing each other all their lives.
(八)我们欢迎台湾当局的领导人以适当身份前来访问;我们也愿意接受台湾方面的邀请,前往台湾。可以共商国是,也可以先就某些问题交换意见,就是相互走走看看,也是有益的。中国人的事我们自己办,不需要借助任何国际场合。海峡咫尺,殷殷相望,总要有来有往,不能“老死不相往来”。
Our compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao and those residing overseas have made dedicated efforts to promote the relations between the two sides, the reunification of the country and the revitalization of the Chinese nation. Their contribution commands recognition. We hope that they will make new contributions in this regard.
港澳同胞、海外侨胞为促进两岸关系、祖国统一和中华民族振兴,作出了许多努力,功不可没。我们希望广大港澳同胞、海外侨胞进一步为发展两岸关系、统一祖国和振兴中华作出新的贡献。
The reunification of the motherland is the common aspiration of the Chinese people. The patriotic compatriots do not wish to see reunification delayed indefinitely. The great revolutionary forerunner of the Chinese nation Dr. Sun Yatsen once said: “Reunification is the hope of entire nationals in China. If reunification can be achieved, the people of the whole country will enjoy a happy life; if it cannot be achieved, the people will suffer.” We appeal to all Chinese to unite and hold high the great banner of patriotism, uphold reunification, oppose secession, spare no effort to promote the expansion of relations between the two sides and facilitate the accomplishment of the reunification of the motherland. In the course of the development of the Chinese nation in the modern world, such a glorious day will surely come.
早日完成祖国统一,是中国各族人民的共同心愿。无限期地拖延统一,是所有爱国同胞不愿意看到的。中华民族伟大的革命先行者孙中山先生曾经说过:“统一是中国全体国民的希望。能够统一,全国人民便享福;不能统一便要受害。”我们呼吁所有中国人团结起来,高举爱国主义的伟大旗帜,坚持统一,反对分裂,全力推动两岸关系的发展,促进祖国统一大业的完成。中华民族现化发展进程中这光辉灿烂的一天,一定会到来。