January 1, 2000
President Lee Teng-hui emphasizes in his New Year's Day Message that a "special state-to-state" relation would be a more realistic positioning of the present cross-Strait relations. Both sides should negotiate as equals, enhance exchanges, seek for common grounds and resolve differences, and strive for a win-win situation.
January 1, 2000
At a new year tea party, PRC President Jiang Zemin reiterates that both sides of the Strait can discuss any problem under the principle of "One China."
January 4, 2000
The PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Zhu Bangzao says at a press conference that the mainland opposes any visit of Taiwan president Lee Teng-hui to any country after he steps down from office in May.
January 6, 2000
At a national conference of directors of Taiwan Affairs Offices, State Council Vice Premier Qian Qichen announces the latest policies in view of related trends with regard to the presidential elections in Taiwan. He says that resolving the Taiwan issue is a pressing matter, which cannot do without any timetable.
January 6, 2000
At the national conference of Taiwan Affairs Office Directors, Qian Qichen, PRC Vice Premier , in directing the latest policy concerning the related trend due to the Taiwanese presidential elections, expresses that there should be a pressing urgency in solving the Taiwan issue, which cannot do without any timetable. All kinds of preparations including military measures on Taiwan will have to be reinforced.
January 10, 2000
In an interview with the Mainland press, ARATS Vice Chairman Tang Shubei says that after Macao reverts to the Mainland, Taiwanese compatriots are welcome to enter Macao using the Taiwanese compatriot certificate and identification cards.
January 11, 2000
The Ming Pao daily of Hong Kong cites sources close to the Mainland's military circles pointing out that in order to counteract possible tense situations due to the presidential elections in Taiwan in March, the directing units of the military zones of Nanjing and Guangzhou have made instructions in the past month to raise the level of alertness in these areas to the third level.
February 1, 2000
The PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Zhu Bangzao says the US Congress passed the "Taiwan Security Enhancement Act," which will threaten US-China relations and the peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region. It is therefore demanding the US Government to take effective measures to prevent the Enhancement Act from becoming a law.
February 20, 2000
The "Kinmen Accord" which has been suspended for nearly eight months and which stipulates the procedures for the repatriation of cross-Strait criminals, resumes to take effect in Matsu.
February 21, 2000
The Taiwan Affairs Office of the Mainland's State Council and the Information Office of the State Council release a white paper on "the principle of one China and the Taiwan issue," which lists down the "three if" conditions for the Mainland's use of force against Taiwan, namely, if there occurs any major event wherein Taiwan is alienated from China under any name or title; if another country launches an attack against Taiwan and takes over it; and if the Taiwan authorities refuse indefinitely to peacefully resolve the issue of cross-Strait unification through negotiations. In these cases, the Mainland will be forced to take all possible drastic measures, including the use of force to preserve the integrity of the Mainland's sovereignty and territory, and to accomplish the great task of Chinese unification.
February 25, 2000
The MAC issues a statement in response to the white paper of the Mainland's State Council on the "Principle of One China and the Taiwan Issue," pointing out that "positioning" is the key issue to cross-Strait relations, and reiterating that in the present division of China, the Mainland's repeated denial of the objective reality that the Republic of China exists only brings more trouble for cross-Strait relations and worsens the tension. It is entirely useless solving the real problem.
March 4, 2000
At the opening ceremony of the third session of the 9th National People's Congress held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, PRC Premier Zhu Rongji states the "Promotion of the Great Task of the Peaceful Unification of the Motherland" in his government work report.
March 17, 2000
On Taiwan's election of a new leader, the Mainland's Central Office for Taiwan Affairs and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council release a statement pointing out that there is only "one China" in the world, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The presidential elections in Taiwan and its result cannot change the fact that Taiwan is part of the Mainland's territory. We are willing to exchange views on cross-Strait relations and peaceful reunification with all the parties and sectors, organizations, and individuals who agree with us on the principle of "one China."
March 21, 2000
The Legislative Yuan passes the "Statute of the Offshore Islands Development" after three readings, for a trial implementation of the "Mini-Three-Links"-direct postal, transportation, and commercial links with the Mainland-at the offshore islands of Kinmen, Matsu, and Penghu .
March 28, 2000
PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Sun Yuxi states that the Mainland is against Taiwan's president-elect Chen Shui-bian and it opposes Taiwan's outgoing president, Lee Teng-hui, from visiting any country under any capacity and title.
March 28, 2000
The US Washington Times reports in big headlines that the Mainland has deployed the latest Russian-made S-300 missiles near Fuzhou, and that deployment will also be made in the coming weeks at Xiamen and Shantou.
March 30, 2000
Officials of the Mainland's "Taiwan Affairs Office" say that although cross-Strait talks have been cut off, the functions of cross-Strait exchanges, the care of Taiwanese businessmen, and the reception of Taiwanese visitors are still under the responsibility of the ARATS. Therefore the ARATS will not be scrapped in the short term.
April 1, 2000
Spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office Zhang Mingqing expresses that the Mainland will not accept any so-called secret envoy or representative unless the new leaders of Taiwan acknowledges the principle of "one China."
April 14, 2000
Spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office Zhang Mingqing states that he is optimistic about Lien Chan's being able to visit the Mainland as long as he satisfies two conditions, namely, that he does so in an appropriate capacity and that he advocates unification for both sides of the Strait.
April 18, 2000
The Mainland's central government proposes its Taiwan policy after Taiwan's presidential elections: unified thoughts, firm principles, calm observation, anti-independence and promoting peace by means of force, being levelheaded and patient, maintaining of pressure, and negotiations with two-handed tactics.
April 30, 2000
SEF Chairman Dr. Koo Chen-fu points out at a press conference on the 7th anniversary of the Koo-Wang talks that the key point in Taiwan's understanding of the concept of "one China with respective interpretations" is that both sides of the Strait are equally sovereign and each has jurisdiction over their own constituencies.
May 2, 2000
PRC Vice Premier Qian Qichen expresses that cross-Strait negotiations will not be carried out as one between a central government and a local government, but as a negotiation between equal entities on both sides of the Strait under the principle of "one China."
May 8, 2000
ARATS Vice Chairman Tang Shubei expresses that the present advocacy of Mainland authorities with regard to the principle of "One China" conforms to Qian Qichen's statement on January 26, 1998 on the occasion of the third anniversary of "Jiang's Eight-Point Proposal."
May 20, 2000
Chen Shui-bian and Annette Lu Hsiu-lien are officially sworn into office as the 10th president and vice-president of the Republic of China. The newly elected President then delivers his inaugural address entitled "Taiwan Stands Up: Advancing to an Uplifting Era," and advocates the "Four No's Plus One" policy on cross-Strait relations.
May 26, 2000
In a speech on "International Relations and the Taiwan Issue" at the Beijing University, PRC Vice Premier Qian Qichen expresses that there are two-handed strategies taken in handling the Taiwan issue: "peace, on the one hand, and military strength, on the other; but more emphasis will be placed on peace."
May 29, 2000
MAC Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen clearly expresses during a question and answer session at the Legislative Yuan that the present status of Taiwan is clear, that "Taiwan is part of the Republic of China, and that the Republic of China is an independent and sovereign country." She also emphasizes that whether Taiwan will re-unite with the Mainland, declare independence, or maintain the status quo, the new administration will be open about it.
May 31, 2000
MAC Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen says in a press interview that with regard to the "1992 Consensus," the understanding of the SEF and the ARATS toward this historical event is that both sides of the Strait did discuss the issue on "One China" then, but did not achieve a consensus. Therefore, each side has its own interpretation of "One China." Each side tells its own story.
June 2, 2000
Major adjustments in the organization of the Mainland's ARATS include: former ARATS Deputy Secretary General and Deputy Director of the General Affairs Bureau of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council Li Yafei being promoted to Secretary General and Director, and former ARATS Secretary General and Director of the General Affairs Bureau of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council Zhang Jincheng being promoted to ARATS Deputy Chairman.
June 9, 2000
In a speech at the Administrative Conference of the Central Party School, CPC Secretary General Jiang Zemin enumerates six notable events in the past two years, two of which are related to Taiwan, namely, Lee Teng-hui's statement of the so-called "state-to-state relations" which cause division of the motherland and Taiwanese independence advocate Chen Shui-bian's winning of presidential elections in the Taiwan Area.
June 15, 2000
The Mainland states four principles to be observed by the Taiwanese people participating in the religious pilgrimage to the goddess Matsu in the Mainland, namely, (1) under the condition of one China, the implementation of direct two-way transportation for mutual benefit and reciprocity, and no docking at a third port is allowed; (2) cross-Strait routes are special domestic routes, wherein only ships of both sides are allowed to operate. If this poses a difficulty for Taiwan, it can rent ships of Mainland companies, or even Hong Kong registered vessels, but it cannot rent foreign vessels; (3) ships entering ports can either raise flags bearing a mark or the company's logo, or not carry any flag at all; and (4) pilgrimage participants intending to visit other sightseeing spots should apply for a Taiwanese compatriot certificate before making the trip.
July 11, 2000
With regard to the issue of the cross-Strait "Three-Links," Deputy Director of the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Li Bingcai states it will be carried on the principles of "one China, direct two-way, reciprocity and mutual benefit."
July 13, 2000
In a meeting with a visiting delegation of Taiwan's New Party, ARATS Chairman Wang Daohan states that "there have been adjustments in the independence stance of Taiwan's new leadership; however, there is a need to continue observing," and reiterates that Taiwanese authorities should revert to the consensus in 1992 wherein each side makes its own interpretation of "one China." "This is the foundation of cross-Strait dialogue."
July 13, 2000
At a regular press conference, PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Zhu Bangzao states that the United Nations is an international organization of governments. Since Taiwan is a province of China, it cannot join and participate in any affiliated agency of the United Nations under any name.
July 19, 2000
Office of the President Secretary General Chang Chun-hsiung issues an urgent press release emphasizing that President Chen Shui-bian and the new administration will never have a secret envoy. At the same time, he reiterates that "non-institutionalized" secret envoys will never replace the "institutionalized" SEF and ARATS.
July 20, 2000
MAC Vice Chairperson Lin Chong-pin makes a three-point official statement: 1) secret envoys are something of the previons administration, on which the MAC will not comment; 2) the MAC affirms the functions of multiple contacts, but these contacts should be made within the institution and should be monitored by the democratic system; 3) the MAC believes that the SEF and the ARATS should revert as the official negotiations channels as soon as possible.
July 31, 2000
President Chen Shui-bian points out in his first press conference that both sides of the Strait should put aside their differences and search for a consensus. Both sides must proceed from "agreeing to disagree" to forging "true consensus." Both sides of the Strait should eliminate mutual suspicion and re-connect where it broke off.
August 4, 2000
ARATS officials say that unless Taiwan publicly denounces the "state-to-state relations" and reverts to the consensus of "one China" achieved in 1992 by both SEF and ARATS, the preparatory arrangements for the opening of Koo-Wang talks between both sides and the resumption of cross-Strait dialogue at the deputy secretary-general level will never materialize.
August 5, 2000
The 25 members of the Cross-Party Task Force are announced. The Task Force includes personalities from the political, academic, business, and social circles. Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh is appointed Chairperson.
August 12, 2000
At the Beidaihe Conference, the Mainland proposes its latest guiding principles on Taiwan and decides to end the phase wherein the statements and actions of Taiwan's newly-elected president Chen Shui-bian will be closely monitored, and start the phase of waging a tit-for-tat struggle wherein goodwill intentions are exchanged with goodwill and evil intentions with evil ones.
August 17, 2000
An official of the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office points out that the Mainland has always been supportive of Fujian Province's provision of water to the areas of Kinmen and Matsu. Former Chief of the Department of Water Resources of Fujian Province Chen Guoliang states that on the issue of "water links," both sides of the Strait have long achieved a consensus that the technical matters will be tackled first. Once the "political issues" have been ironed out, the "water links" project in favor of Kinmen and Matsu will be implemented right away.
August 25, 2000
In a meeting with a visiting delegation of Taiwan's United Daily news agency, PRC Vice Premier Qian Qichen expresses that with regard to cross-Strait relations, political issues need not be resolved in the implementation of the cross-Strait "Three-Links." Under the scheme that the links be treated as domestic routes, nothing will be brought up about one country or two countries. The matter will be solved as long as the ships of both sides do not carry any flag.
September 1, 2000
In an administrative report at the second half session of the Legislative Yuan, Premier Tang Fei points out that the most pressing matter in cross-Strait affairs is the realization of a "Koo-Wang meeting." TrackII- or even Track III encounters are not impossible under the establishment of a risk management mechanism.
September 2, 2000
The Cross-Party Task Force convenes its first session and invites President Chen Shui-bian to deliver an address. Chen reiterates his hope for leaders of both sides of the Strait to open up a new era together.
September 2, 2000
The first school for children of Taiwanese businessmen in aF2e(Dongguan City, Guangdong Province)the Mainland opens.
September 5, 2000
The Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesman Zhang Mingqing points out that the Mainland will implement a policy of closely monitoring the statements and actions of Taiwan during the entire term of President Chen Shui-bian.
September 6, 2000
The Mainland establishes the Research Center for Cross-Strait Relations, of which ARATS Chairman Wang Daohan serves as honorary Director and former Deputy Director of the Taiwan Affairs Office Tang Shubei serves as Director.
September 8, 2000
Lienchiang County Police Bureau takes charge of the first repatriation of Mainland stowaways via direct transport from Matsu to the Guantou Port in Fujian Province in the Mainland. This is a major step toward simplified repatriation procedures in the future. The Mainland side refers to this bi-directional direct links as "port exchange", in the promotion of future repatriation procedures between local ports.
September 15, 2000
Premier Tang Fei says in an interview with the English edition of the Asiaweek that with regard to the issue of unification, a "One China" can be considered a "future prosperous China."
September 20, 2000
The National Olympic Committee Secretary-General of PRC, Tu Mingde, says in Sydney that as long as both sides stand under the principle of "one China," there is no issue that cannot be discussed. Of course, this includes the joint holding of the Olympic Games. However, the Korean model at the opening ceremonies of the Sydney Olympics, where athletes of the two Koreas marched alongside each other under one flag, is not applicable to both sides of the Strait.
October 7, 2000
MAC Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen says that the cross-Strait policy of the administration is centered on the "Spirit of 1992," which President Chen Shui-bian mentioned in his inaugural address on May 20, hoping for both sides of the Strait to strengthen exchanges and put aside differences. Although Taiwan has not accepted the Mainland's version of "One China," it will not deliberately challenge it.
October 10, 2000
President Chen Shui-bian reiterates that the Government will show its utmost sincerity and patience in searching for the "goodwill reconciliation, active cooperation, and permanent peace" for both sides of the Strait. He calls on the leaders of both sides of the Strait to revert to the "Spirit of 1992," put aside mutual differences, and resume dialogues and exchanges as soon as possible.
October 16, 2000
The Mainland releases its white paper on "China's National Defense in 2000," which contains approximately 25,000 words. The parts related to Taiwan are mainly contained in the "National Defense Policies," which reiterate the "three if" conditions for the use of force against Taiwan, mentioned in the white paper on its Taiwan policy released in February.
November 7, 2000
The PRC State Council officially confirms the termination of Tang Shubei and Wang Yonghai and their replacement by Zhou Mingwei and Wang Zaixi as Deputy Directors of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.
November 10, 2000
The MAC and the GIO hold a joint press conference announcing related regulations concerning "Journalists from the Mainland Area Staying and Covering News Reports in Taiwan." Journalists from the Mainland area are allowed to come to Taiwan to stay and cover news reports as of Novermber 10,2000.
November 14, 2000
The Legislative Yuan passes a resolution creating its own "Task Force on Cross-Strait Relations."
November 16, 2000
At a meeting with Clinton in Brunei, Jiang Zemin reiterates that regarding the Taiwan issue, the Mainland is firm about its position on the principle of "one China." As long as Taiwan authorities accept the principle of "one China," both sides of the Strait can negotiate on any issue as equal entities.
November 26, 2000
The Cross-Party Task Force convenes its 7th session, and arrives at a concrete consensus: the "three acknowledgements and four suggestions."
November 28, 2000
The PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Zhang Qiyue says that the Mainland's principle of "one China" will remain unchanged. The leaders of Taiwan should not dodge the principle of "one China" and should take concrete actions in improving cross-Strait relations.
November 29, 2000
An Min, Assistant Minister of the Mainland's ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations , says that "Measures Governing Trade with the Taiwan Area" promulgated by the Ministry contains 15 articles. It contains the "one country, two systems" and market economics, which serves as its directing principles, and which regulates the management of trading with Taiwan and the solution of conflicts.
December 5, 2000
The Legislative Yuan passes partial revisions of the "Act Governing Relations between Peoples of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area" after three readings.