One China

One China

A letter was published on Jan. 29, 1996, called Beijing intimidation and written by David Tzou, the Information Director of the Taipei Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta. Responding to a Reuters news story which appeared in the Jan. 25, 1996 edition of your newspaper, the author said: "Judging from the political situation on mainland China and what its leaders have said and done in the past few months, we have reason to believe that China is ready mentally and physically to attack Taiwan." Here I would like to tell the readers of your newspaper that, as the aforesaid Reuters news story mentioned at its beginning, the spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry denied long ago the news carried by American newspapers. Therefore, the above-mentioned statement of Mr. Tzou is totally groundless.

It is known to all that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing China. No matter what kind of political tricks the Taiwan authorities resort to, the fact remains that Taiwan is part of China.

In defiance of the overall national interest, Mr. Li Teng-hui has colluded with anti-China informational forces in an attempt to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" in various forms. He is responsible for the emerging tension on both sides of the Taiwan Straight.

Going against the common aspirations of the entire Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots, what Mr. Li has done is unpopular. It will be very dangerous if Mr. Li Teng-hui goes on splitting the motherland. The Chinese leaders have often reiterated it is not allowed to have "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" and we are resolutely against 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. Whatever means is chosen to resolve this question is entirely China's internal affair. Intervention by foreign countries is by no means permitted. We stand for achieving reunification by peaceful means and through negotiations, at the same time we shall not undertake to abandon the use of force.

Not committing to abandon the use of force on our part is not directed against our compatriots in Taiwan, but against intervention of foreign forces in China's reunification and splitting activities aimed at creating "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" and the independence of Taiwan. The Chinese government and people are determined and able to take all necessary measures to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our motherland.

I hope that Mr. Tzou will do more work meeting the common aspirations of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Straight, and make statements which help promote peaceful reunification of our motherland. The realization of peaceful reunification accords to the will of the people, and is the general trend. Any attempt aimed at creating "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan", while harming the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China, is doomed to fail.

XU CHUHUI

Press Officer of the Embassy

of the People's Republic of China

Jakarta