January 24, 1996
Premier Lien Chan reiterates that the ROC government does not wish to see cross-strait relation strained at issuing statements and creating publicity. The two sides should sit down and meet each other across the table to negotiate various issues. If the disrupted cross-strait negotiation channels could be resumed, issues of mutual concern will be able to be discussed.
January 30, 1996
The PRC celebrates the anniversary of Jiang's eight-point proposal. Li Peng makes a statement that only when Taiwan authorities abandon creating "two Chinas," or "one China, one Taiwan" both in rhetoric and in practice can cross-strait relation normalize.
March 5, 1996
The PRC makes a statement in the early morning that it will launch a military exercise during March 8-15, firing ground-to-ground guided missiles into waters 20 to 40 nautical miles due east of Keelung, and 30 to 50 nautical miles due west of Kaohsiung.
March 8, 1996
The mainland military begins to stage missile tests near the waters north and south of Taiwan.
March 12, 1996
The PRC begins to stage live ammunition firing in a sea and air maneuver off the coastal areas stretching from Xiamen, Fujian Province, to Shantou, Guangdong Province.
March 13, 1996
The PRC fires the fourth guided missile into the waters off Kaohsiung harbor.
March 18, 1996
The PRC launches a joint force maneuver in the sea near Pingtan, Fujian Province.
March 19, 1996
The PRC stages a landing exercise on a small islet.
March 21, 1996
The PRC stages an air strike exercise.
April 23, 1996
In Kampuchea, Liu Huaqing, vice chairman of the PRC Central Military Commission, reiterates that "Taiwan is an inseparable part of China." He insists on "reunification by peaceful means, one country, two systems" and that PRC will resort to the use of force should Taiwan declare independence or face foreign intervention.
April 29, 1996
SEF writes to ARATS to suggest the resumption of the Koo-Wang Talks and institutionalized negotiation channels.
April 30, 1996
ARATS responds negatively to the resumption of Koo-Wang talks and institutionalized negotiations.
May 5, 1996
Chang King-yuh, chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council, says it is the PRC which erects barriers against the resumption of cross-strait negotiations. Since ARATS has replied negatively regarding the resumption of negotiations, the government will not seek other ways to express its willingness again.
May 20, 1996
In his inaugural speech, President Lee notes the developments related to cross-strait relations. First, the two sides should face how to end the hostile status. Second, both should note the reality that the two belong to separate jurisdictions and accept the common goal of national unification 3. Both should open up a new situation in which "Chinese help Chinese."
May 29, 1996
Xinhua News Agency publishes an article titled "The one-China principle is inevitable," with a byline of "Jin Xi," criticizing ROC President Lee's failure to mention "one China" in his inaugural speech.
June 23, 1996
The spokesman of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council reiterates the "One China" principle.
June 26, 1996
Giving an interview to the media while visiting in Spain, PRC President Jiang Zemin says that the two sides can enter into cross-strait negotiations for peaceful reunification and follow the principle of "One China" to terminate the hostility between the two sides. Asked to comment on a meeting between leaders of the two sides, Jiang says he welcomes the Taiwan leader to visit the mainland in an appropriate capacity.
July 3, 1996
SEF adopts a proposal at a meeting to have an exchange of visits by members of the boards of SEF and ARATS, and sends a letter to ARATS for reply.
July 5, 1996
ARATS responds to the SEF without indicating a clear attitude on the SEF's proposal.
August 5, 1996
Sha Zukang, PRC representative for negotiations on nuclear weapons, tells the American media that the PRC has given an unconditional commitment on no-first-use of nuclear weapons on any foreign countries including the United States. Taiwan is just one province of China, not a country. Therefore, the PRC's commitment does not apply to Taiwan.
August 21, 1996
The PRC promulgates the "Measures Governing Shipping between the Two Sides of the Taiwan Strait."
November 7, 1996
The PRC Ministry of Communications makes public the "Announcement on Related Issues for the Measures Governing Shipping between the Two Sides of the Taiwan Strait."
December 23, 1996
The National Development Conference is held in Taipei from December 23 to 28. Discussions on cross-strait relations lead to 36 agreements.