Mainland Affairs Council

January 1, 2004
In his New Year's Day Address, President Chen Shui-bian reiterates that his pledge of "Four No's Plus One" shows the utmost sincerity in pursuit of cross-Strait peace. As long as China is willing to accept the democratic choice made by the people of Taiwan in the upcoming presidential election, leaders of both sides will have a historic opportunity to demonstrate their wisdom in creating a brand new vision for economic cooperation and political reconciliation across the Strait, thereby making most contribution to the prosperity of the peoples on both sides.

January 1, 2004
At a new year tea party of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Chinese Premier Hu Jintao reiterates that the Mainland is firm in its guiding principles of peaceful reunification and "one country, two systems" and Jiang Zemin's "Eight-Point Proposal" to enhance cross-Strait personnel exchanges, as well as economic and cultural exchanges thus realizing the reunification of the country. He also states that the Mainland will show its utmost sincerity in firmly opposing any form of Taiwan independence, and will never allow anyone to split Taiwan away from China in any conceivable way.

January 6, 2004
In further promoting the "Three-Links," the Mainland establishes the "Economic and Trade Exchange Association" with Li Shuilin as its inaugural president and Wang Liaoping, Director of the Ministry's Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao Affairs, as Executive Vice President. The main function of the Association is on cross-Strait trade and economic exchanges.

January 7, 2004
In a meeting with the foreign guests attending the Seminar on Taiwan-U.S.-Japan Strategic Security Cooperation, President Chen Shui-bian points out that it is mainland China, not Taiwan that is trying to make unilateral change of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. The holding of a referendum is aimed at defending Taiwan's status quo from being changed.

January 12, 2004
In a year-end gathering with media reporters covering the Office of the President, President Chen Shui-bian states that as the country's leader, he must cautiously and steadily handle matters that pertain to the country's future. It is hoped that after March 20, especially after May 20, both sides of the Strait could start anew a phase of beneficial interaction. We are fully prepared and we intend to give each other some space, hoping that there will be no sorrows nor nostalgia on both sides of the Strait, but only reconciliation, cooperation, and peace.

January 13, 2004
In a meeting with overseas Chinese in New York, China's Taiwan Affairs Office Deputy Director Wang Zaixi speaks on the Taiwan issue stating that the Mainland side hopes for the stability of the situation across the Taiwan Strait. The solution of the cross-Strait issue cannot be as certain as a flight schedule. At the same time, he also states the Mainland side's consistent position against Taiwan independence.

January 14, 2004
The Mainland's Association of Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) replies to the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) pointing out that Fu Hung-chang and seven (7) other Taiwanese citizens whose whereabouts the SEF were trying to find out were spies dispatched by Taiwan's Military Intelligence Bureau to the Mainland with the purpose of intelligence gathering. They are right now detained by the Mainland's state security unit. They have confessed everything about their identities as spies and their espionage activities. The ARATS letter also states that the seven detainees are in excellent physical condition and their case is now being proceeded.

January 14, 2004
In a regular press briefing, the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Li Weiyi states that although cross-Strait relations have been fluctuating in the past year, the basic structure and the development trend have not changed. The Mainland will continue to be firm in its guiding principles of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" and carry out the four proposals of Premier Hu Jintao on Taiwan affairs, as well as to be firm in its principle of "one China" and to engage in a "resolute struggle" with Taiwan independence advocates.

January 16, 2004
The MAC releases a statement on the alleged "Taiwanese Espionage Case" pointing out that "we have reasons to suspect that this is the Mainland's intention to influence the development of Taiwan's domestic political situation and to manipulate Taiwan's elections.

January 16, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) replies to the Association of Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) about the seven (7) Taiwanese citizens detained and tried in the Mainland for allegedly gathering military intelligence in the Mainland, expressing hope that the Mainland will find out the truth as soon as possible to prove their innocence, as well as expressing its regret over the Mainland's violation of the principle of privacy in investigations committed by relevant agencies and the Mainland's harm to the interests of the persons involved.

January 17, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) writes again to the Association of Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) reiterating Taiwan's serious protest and regret over the Mainland's violation of the principle of privacy in their investigation of the case involving the detained Taiwan businessmen in the Mainland and the Mainland's failure to go through the proper judicial procedures in coming up with a decision on the case. The SEF letter also contains six proposals, one among which is to urge the Mainland side to protect the basic interests and provide judicial assistance to the people concerned.

January 18, 2004
President Chen Shui-bian attends a TV interview on the state of the country and states that the Mainland's basic strategy on Taiwan consists of the principles of "one China" and "one country, two systems." Whoever is President certainly cannot accept the Mainland's principle of "one China." Therefore, he proposes that both sides deal with the future of "one China" together, put major differences aside, and work on the consensus. President Chen Shui-bian reiterates that the peace referendum is the best guarantee to preserve national dignity and security of sovereignty.

January 19, 2004
In a forum commemorating the 9th anniversary of Jiang Zemin's "Eight-Point Proposal," Tang Jiaxuan, Councilor in charge of Taiwan Affairs at the Mainland's State Council, makes a statement warning President Chen Shui-bian against holding a public referendum on March 20, saying that such a referendum in Taiwan is a provocation designed to intensify the cross-Strait tention. At the same time, he states that the Mainland is still harboring hopes on the Taiwanese people in fighting for a peaceful cross-Strait reunification.

January 27, 2004
President Chen Shui-bian is interviewed on "the President's Financial and Economic Forum," a TV program for the discussion of political opinions, and states that the Government's cross-Strait trade and economic policy adopts the principle of "Firm Position and Pragmatic Progress," hoping that both sides of the Strait put aside political issues and exchange representatives or special envoys to enhance cross-Strait trade and economic development.

January 27, 2004
French President Jacques Chirac and Chinese President Hu Jintao sign a joint declaration pointing out that the French Government upholds in its consistent position on "one China," and opposes any unilateral move that aims to change the status quo, intensifies tension across the Strait, and leads to the independence of Taiwan, including the holding of a public referendum. The French Government believes that a constructive dialogue should be the foundation of cross-Strait relations and the Taiwan issue should be peacefully resolved to maintain regional stability and prosperity.

January 28, 2004
China's Ministry of Communications and the Xinhua Net jointly publish the latest report on current events entitled, "Chen Shui-bian will establish a new state in 2008; Critical period for solving Taiwan issue closing in," which analyzes the cross-Strait issue. The report points out that the public referendum is merely a beginning of Chen Shui-bian's plan to establish a new state in 2008 to achieve its goal of Taiwan independence in the end. Therefore, the report concludes that, "the positive and negative factors related to the Taiwan issue are developing rapidly, and the critical period of the solution of the Taiwan issue in the course of history is fast approaching."

January 28, 2004
Mainland President Hu Jintao delivers a speech at the French Parliament publicly thanking French President Jacques Chirac for standing on the side of mainland China and opposing the public referendum in Taiwan. He also reiterates the willingness of the Mainland to work hard for the materialization of a peaceful cross-Strait reunification based on the principle of "one China."

January 29, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) writes to the Mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) urging the Mainland to provide assistance to the family members to visit the detained Taiwan businessmen, and expressing hope that the detained personnel will be freed as soon as possible.

January 30, 2004
President Chen Shui-bian is invited to speak at a Lunar New Year Dinner Party for heads of Taiwanese Businessmen's Associations and states that the Government will provide Taiwan businessmen working in the Mainland with more facilitation and protection measures to show its sincerity and confidence in improving cross-Strait relations and more especially to look after Taiwan businessmen's interests. President Chen Shui-bian announces the "Four New Measures," regarding concrete policy recommendations for the interests of the Taiwan businessmen, including the expansion of the applicable scope of the "Mini-Three-Links," the expansion of the Measures for Cross-Strait Freight Facilitation, the relaxation of claims for insurance payments from Taiwan for their medical treatment in the Mainland, and the increase of government subsidies to Taiwan schools in the Mainland.

January 31, 2004
Dr. Koo Chen-fu, Chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), states during the Lunar New Year gathering and forum for Taiwan businessmen that the present cross-Strait relations still lack mutual confidence, thus increase all forms of suspicions and misunderstandings. There is no opportunity to solve these differences. On the one hand, the Mainland has unilaterally cut off the communications channel between the SEF and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait; on the other hand, it is eager to set up other communications channel.

January 31, 2004
The Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Director Chen Yunlin writes an article for the magazine, Cross-Strait Relations, pointing out that the Mainland "is harboring hopes on the Taiwanese people" and that it will continue to contain "Taiwanese independence" together with the Taiwanese people to maintain peace and stability in cross-Strait relations. It is hoped that in the coming year, the situation across the Strait will be stable, cross-Strait relations will develop in a healthy and stable manner, cross-Strait dialogue and negotiations will be resumed, and that the cross-Strait direct "Three-Links" will be materialized as soon as possible.

February 3, 2004
President Chen Shui-bian convenes a press conference for local and foreign reporters to explain that the interaction framework for cross-Strait peace and stability contains the "One Principle and the Four Major Issue Areas." The "One Principle" is "Establishing the Principle of Peace." The "Four Major Issue Areas" are, namely, establishment of negotiation mechanism, exchanges based on equality and reciprocity, establishment of political relationship, and prevention of military conflicts. President Chen Shui-bian stresses that after March 20, he will invite Mainland China to appoint its special envoy to meet and to work with his special envoy towards the initiation of cross-Strait negotiation, in light of the "One Principle and the Four Major Issue Areas."

February 3, 2004
A Letter signed by President Chen Shui-bian regarding the March 20 referendum is sent to the EY, together with a Justification Statement for the referendum entitled "Writing History with Democracy and Defending Taiwan with Referendum".

February 4, 2004
Two issues proposed by President Chen Shui-bian for the March 20 Peace Referendum, which are "Strengthening National Defense" and "Peace Negotiations," are approved in an Executive Yuan session and delivered to the Central Election Commission for the commencement of administrative procedures.

February 6, 2004
In an exclusive interview with the LA Times, President Chen Shui-bian gurantees that the Taiwan issue will not become a burden on the US. In the next four years, Taiwan will certainly maintain the status quo, and he will continue to make efforts to prevent the status quo from being unilaterally changed.

February 9, 2004
In an exclusive interview with Time Magazine, President Chen Shui-bian points out that there is no way we can accept the "One Country, Two Systems," and therefore it is impossible for us to accept the "one China principle." He also stresses the significance of the March 20th referendum, which is, of course, to maintain Taiwan's status quo and to prevent this status quo from being unilaterally changed. Therefore, Taiwan will not change the status quo. Neither will he change the status quo in his next four-year term.

February 9, 2004
The MAC passes the draft of the "Regulations for Managing the Interview of Mainland Applicants to Enter into the Taiwan Area" to regulate the interview requirements of the people from the Mainland applying to enter into Taiwan for the purposes of family reunion, temporary stay, or permanent residence. The MAC also passes the draft of the "Permit Regulations for the Entry of People from the Mainland Area into the Taiwan Area," which will allow the parents of the Mainland spouses who have obtained permanent residency in Taiwan to come to Taiwan for a visit, and allow them to visit patients when the Mainland spouses are seriously ill or injured or in a state of life-threatening danger. These four regulations will be submitted by the Ministry of the Interior to the Executive Yuan for approval, and will be effective on March 1, 2004
, in coordination with the effective date designated by the EY of the amendment of the "Act Governing Relations Between the Peoples of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area".

February 9, 2004
The Mainland's People's Liberation Army (PLA) publishes a signed article entitled "the Intensification and the Increasing Destructiveness of Creeping Taiwan Independence" stating that the defensive referendum is a "legalized representation to highlight the sovereignty of Taiwan" and that Taiwan's implementation of a defensive referendum is a form of "creeping Taiwan independence."

February 11, 2004
With regard to the emotional criticism of the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office about Taiwan's proposal for a peace and stability framework agreement, the Mainland Affairs Council expresses "profound regrets" and points out that there have always been differences in the political position of each side of the Strait, but these should not become obstacles hindering them from holding a dialogue to achieve a consensus of peaceful coexistence together.

February 11, 2004
The Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Zhang Mingqing stresses at a press briefing that Taiwan intends on the one hand to implement "a referendum that damages cross-Strait relations and imperils cross-Strait peace." Yet, on the other hand, it asserts to establish what they call an interaction framework for cross-Strait peace and stability. This is obviously deceiving the Taiwanese people and the international community. At the same time, he criticizes Taiwan's holding of a referendum pointing out that this is to pave the way for a future referendum on Taiwan independence. Zhang further states that neither has the Mainland side intervened in elections held in the Taiwan area, nor will it do so now or in the future.

February 11, 2004
The Mainland's Ministry of Public Security declares at a regular press briefing of the Taiwan Affairs Office that it will implement five simplified facilitation measures for cross-Strait personnel exchanges. Among these are the authorization of the Public Security Department of the Fujian Province to issue Taiwanese Compatriot Certificates that are valid for five years, the expansion of the scope of application of multiple-entry visas and visas for the long-term stay of Taiwanese people in the Mainland, and the relaxation of the qualifications for applicants obtaining a five-year residence visa in the Mainland.

February 12, 2004
The Mainland confirms that the Taiwanese couple in Xianyou, Fujian, Chang Hsu-min and Yu Shih-ping, have been arrested for allegedly involving in gathering sensitive information about the Mainland's deployment of ballistic missiles. The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) has written the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) stressing that both people are mere Taiwan businessmen and hoping that the Mainland will ascertain the facts. SEF Secretary-General Hsu Hwei-you also urges the Mainland not to indiscriminately arrest innocent Taiwanese people for political purposes.

February 13, 2004
In an exclusive interview with Japan's Kyodo News Agency, President Chen Shui-bian points out that he has made active planning for the promotion and establishment of a framework for cross-Strait peace and stability. He will form a team for its implementation and will announce the list of the team members right after March 20. By May 20, he shall have nominated a candidate to serve as Taiwan's representative to the Mainland for the talks on the "Four Major Issue Areas" under the "One Principle of Peace."

February 17, 2004
MAC Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen points out in a special address that the Taiwanese people's support of the referendum and the results on March 20 will be conducive to helping Taiwan make a breakthrough in the present state of disequilibrium due to Taiwan's being repressed, downgraded, and marginalized by the Mainland in the international arena, as well as enable Taiwan's voice to be effectively heard and to attract more support from the international community.

February 19, 2004
The MAC passes the draft of the "Permit Regulations for the Entry of Taiwanese People into the Mainland Area," partial amendments of the "Trial Implementation Regulations for the Transportation Links Between Kinmen and Matsu and the Mainland Area," draft amendment of the "Application Procedures and the Review Criteria for the Restoration of the Taiwanese Identities of People Residing in the Mainland Area and for Their Return to Taiwan for Permanent Residence," and the draft amendment of the "Review Principles for Investments or Technical Cooperations in the Mainland Area." These will be submitted by the Ministry of the Interior to the Executive Yuan for approval and will be effective on March 1, 2004
, in accordance with the effective date designated by the EY of the amendment of the "Act Governing Relations Between the Peoples of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area".

February 19, 2004
With regard to the murder of Taiwan businessman Huang Yu-cheng in Hainan Province, the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) has immediately written the Mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) and other agencies concerned to expeditiously arrest the criminals and once more urged the authorities concerned in the Mainland to actively investigate the case and arrest the criminals, as well as face up to the public safety, to guarantee the personal safety of the Taiwan businessmen.

February 20, 2004
In an exclusive interview with the Taipei Bureau chief of Japan's TV Asahi, President Chen Shui-bian points out that the referendum on a new Constitution in 2006 is not part of the Taiwan independence timetable, but of the constitutional reform. Since Taiwan has been an independent sovereign state, there is no need to declare its independence. President Chen also reiterates that in the next four years, his utmost hope is to be able to shake hands and reconcile with the leader of the Mainland in a third country or a third area.

February 23, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation once again writes the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) hoping that the Mainland side will expeditiously assist in arresting and deporting Chang Yi-sung and Chen You-hao, so that both sides could fight together against crime.

February 23, 2004
While presiding over a group learning session of the Political Bureau of the CPC, Hu Jintao, general secretary of the CPC, points out for the first time that "the country's sovereignty and security should always be the first priority; the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity should be firmly maintained; and that the country's security and basic interests should be firmly maintained."

February 25, 2004
The MAC expresses strong protest against the improper criticism made by the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office about Taiwan's Peace Referendum to be held on March 20th and their distortion of President Chen Shui-bian's efforts in promoting cross-Strait peaceful and stable interaction. The MAC also stresses its hope that the Mainland will positively view the process of the deepening of democracy in Taiwan, respect the basic human rights and the willingness of the Taiwanese people, and refrain from treating the referendum with a parochial perception of "reunification vs. independence."

February 25, 2004
The Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Deputy Director Li Bingcai states at the "Workshop for Taiwanese Companies Going Public on the Market in the Chinese Mainland" that they welcome and encourage more Taiwanese compatriots to make investments in the Mainland and more Taiwanese companies to go public on the market in the Mainland.

February 25, 2004
The Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Li Weiyi expresses at a regular press briefing that they hope the Taiwanese authorities could eliminate the barriers as soon as possible and allow Mainland people to visit Taiwan for tourism.

February 25, 2004
Wang Huapeng, Deputy Director of the Taiwan Affairs Department of the Mainland's Press and Publication Administration announces at a regular press briefing of the Taiwan Affairs Office the new policies regarding cross-Strait publication exchanges. Starting in December 2004, Taiwanese businessmen can set up wholesale offices for Taiwan publications in the Mainland.

February 26, 2004
Addressing the American Chamber of Commerce during its Hsieh Nien Fan Annual Banquet, President Chen Shui-bian states that after the March 20 referendum and his re-election, the two sides must be able to work actively and pragmatically through dialogue and negotiations to pursue such issues as the establishment of a framework for cross-Strait interaction and stability, the protection of investment, the "Three-Links" and direct transportation. At the same time, he also reiterates that the March 20 Peace Referendum has nothing to do with changing neither the status quo nor the issue of "independence vs. unification." The significance of the March 20th Peace Referendum is to demonstrate the firm will and solidarity of the people of Taiwan in their own self-defense and the pursuit of cross-Strait peace.

February 26, 2004
With regard to the murder of a Taiwanese businessman surnamed Sung in Dongguan, the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) once again writes the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) demanding that the Mainland side provide related information as soon as possible, so that police authorities in Taiwan could investigate simultaneously.

February 27, 2004
Mainland's State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan states at a ceremony commemorating the 32nd anniversary of the signing of the Sino-US Shanghai Communique that the proper handling of the Taiwan issue is the key to the stable development of Sino-US relations. He also points out that "peaceful reunification and the 'One Country, Two Systems'" are the basic guiding principles for solving the Taiwan issue. He hopes that the US will stick to its position on Taiwan's holding of a referendum.

March 1, 2004
In coordination with the amendment of the "Act Governing Relations Between Peoples of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area," more than fifty by laws and supporting secondary laws are officially implemented, which includes the movement of personnel across the Strait and the overall immigration system, the related supporting measures regarding Mainland spouses and their implementation, the implementation of the consensus on trade and economic exchanges at the Economic Development Advisory Conference, the general regulations on Taiwanese people assuming official positions or membership in the Mainland area, and cooperation between schools of all levels across the Stait.

March 3, 2004
The Executive Yuan approves the "Special Project on the 'Mini-Three-Links' Implemented via Kinmen and Matsu for the March 20 Presidential Election" agreeing to follow the model implemented during this year's Lunar New Year's Holidays to enable Taiwan businessmen in the Mainland to retrun to Taiwan via the "Mini-Three-Links" route to vote in the presidential election. This is to provide Taiwan businessmen in the Mainland with an additional choice of transportation routes for their return to vote in the election.

March 3, 2004
In the second session of the Mainland's Tenth National Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), CPPCC Chairman Jia Qinglin proposes this year's new tasks over Taiwan Affairs Group with regard to the cross-Strait situation, which are to carry out the principle of placing hope on the Taiwanese people, forge the closest possible contact and ties between the people across the Strait, and unite the patriotic forces of all ethnicities and all walks of life in Taiwan who support the reunification of the motherland.

March 3, 2004
In the second session of the Mainland's Tenth National Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Spokesperson Jiang Enzhu states that President Chen Shui-bian's insistence in holding the referendum and gambling on the interests of the Taiwanese compatriots to fulfill his personal desire for re-election is extremely immoral. He emphasizes that the Mainland will neither interfere in Taiwan's March 20 election, nor will it be concerned of the election itself. It is only concerned of the progress of the cross-Strait dialogue and negotiations, the opening up of the direct "Three-Links," and the advancement of cross-Strait peace and unification under the foundation of the "one China" principle after the election.

March 5, 2004
In his Government Work Report on the Mainland's Taiwan policy at the second session of the Tenth National People's Congress, Mainland Premier Wen Jiabao states that the Mainland will realize cross-Strait unification with its utmost sincerity and efforts and that it firmly opposes Taiwan independence and the separatist movement.

March 11, 2004
The Takung Pao reports that CPPCC Chairman Jia Qinglin participates in the panel discussion of the Taiwan delegation at the second session of the Tenth National CPPCC and reiterates that it is pointed out in the Mainland's Taiwan policy that to solve the cross-Strait issue, the principle of "placing hope on the Taiwanese people" shall be carried out.

March 14, 2004
The Mainland Affairs Council releases a statement in response to the press conference convened by Mainland Premier Wen Jiabao, urging the Mainland to face up to the political reality on both sides of the Strait, to change their rigid way of thinking as soon as possible, and to attach importance to Taiwan's inevitable development of democracy, in order to contribute to cross-Strait relations.

March 14, 2004
At the press conference for local and foreign correspondents at the second session of the Mainland's Tenth National People's Congress, Premier Wen Jiabao proposes the four "utmost efforts" on its Taiwan policy, emphasizing that "we will exert our utmost to safeguard stability in the Taiwan Strait; we will exert our utmost to promote the three direct links and economic, cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait; we will exert our utmost to press ahead with an early resumption of dialogue and negotiations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait on the basis of the one-China principle; we will exert our utmost efforts to advance the cause of peaceful reunification of the motherland."

March 18, 2004
MAC Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen states at the Press Conference for International Reporters that it is hoped that the Mainland authorities will face up to the determination of the Taiwanese people and the Government of the Republic of China to pursue regional peace and stability, and grasp the opportunity as soon as possible to improve cross-Strait relations together.

March 20, 2004
In his message upon winning the 2004 presidential election, President Chen Shui-bian urges the Beijing authorities to treat the results of Taiwan's presidential elections and referendum in a positive light, and accept the Taiwanese people's choice of democracy. The leaders of both sides of the Strait should maintain mutual understanding, sincerity, and goodwill, and employ their wisdom in creating a turning point for cross-Strait peace and stability, and mutual cooperation and reciprocity.

March 20, 2004
The Mainland Affairs Council releases a press statement after the presidential election, pointing out that the voting and the counting of ballots for Taiwan's March 20 presidential election have been successfully completed. We will now abide by the commitments made by President Chen Shui-bian during the campaign period, and make the active promotion of a peace and stability framework for cross-Strait interaction the priority objective. We urge the Mainland to respect and pragmatically honor the status quo across the Strait and resume dialogue and negotiations with us as soon as possible.

March 20, 2004
The Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office issues a brief statement on the public referendum held in Taiwan, reiterating the Mainland's opposition against the referendum. The statement points out that the peace referendum being held in Taiwan on March 20 "is a provocative attempt to undermine cross-Straits relations and split the motherland and is doomed to failure."

March 23, 2004
During his visit to North Korea, Mainland's Foreign Minister Li Zaoxing comments on Taiwan's presidential election pointing out that whatever the results of the election may be, it "will not change the fact that there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of China."

March 25, 2004
Mainland's State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan comments on Taiwan's presidential election stating that Beijing is closely observing the development of the situation in Taiwan and that the Taiwanese people should come to their own conclusions on the election controversy.

March 26, 2004
In response to the unreasonable criticisms and statements made by the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office on Taiwan's presidential election, the Mainland Affairs Council releases a press statement expressing utmost dissatisfaction and reiterates that the Mainland's unreasonable criticism over Taiwan's domestic affairs is a brutal intervention of its internal affairs. The Mainland will be cast aside by the Taiwanese people if it tries to make excuses to trigger cross-Strait conflict.

March 26, 2004
The Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office releases a statement on Taiwan's post-election situation pointing out that "we will not just sit idly and watch if the Taiwan situation loses control and causes social unrest that endangers the security of the lives and possessions of the Taiwanese compatriots and harms the stability across the Taiwan Strait."

March 29, 2004
In an exclusive interview with the Washington Post, President Chen Shui-bian points out that we will never engage in an arms race with the other side of the Strait, since what we want is to avoid war and achieve permanent peace across the Taiwan Strait. One of our chief missions and responsibilities in the coming four years would be to establish a peace and stability framework for cross-Strait interactions and to maintain stability across the Strait.

March 30, 2004
On President Chen Shui-bian's exclusive interview with the Washington Post, the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office responds by criticizing that President Chen Shui-bian "has once again wantonly issued statements advocating Taiwan indpendence and separatism and has clearly indicated his position to promote Taiwanese independence" in the interview.

March 31, 2004
In an interview with the BBC, President Chen Shui-bian states that it is the top priority for his policy implementation to improve the cross-Strait relations and to stabilize the cross-Strait relations in order to have a normalization across the Strait for the next four years."

April 1, 2004
The Asian Wall Street Journal reports that President Chen Shui-bian clearly pointed out in an exclusive interview that he has no intention in his second term to change Taiwan's status quo in its relationship with the Mainland. His "most important goal" is to foster "peaceful cross-Strait relations and stability and security of the Asia-Pacific region." At the same time, the US is urged to play a more active and constructive role in facilitating cross-Strait dialogue."

April 1, 2004
In an exclusive interview with Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun, President Chen Shui-bian points out that the "one country on each side" has become the absolute majority's view in Taiwan and has become the people's will. It is difficult for the Taiwanese people to accept the "one China" or the "one country, two systems." He also reiterates his proposition to conduct a referendum in 2006 and implement a new constitution in 2008."

April 5, 2004
President Chen Shui-bian points out during a meeting with the delegation of the US National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP) that his proposal on the creation of an interaction framework for cross-Strait peace and stability is to hope that the "one peace" principle could replace the "one China" principle so that the representatives of both sides could sit down to negotiate and bring about the normalization of cross-Strait relations."

April 6, 2004
MAC Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen points out during a meeting with the delegation of the US National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP) that the priority task of the ROC Government after the presidential elections is to stabilize cross-Strait relations and continue to promote policies that are conducive to cross-Strait trade and economy."

April 10, 2004
In an address at the 2004 International Summit for the Peaceful Unification of China, the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhang Mingqing states that the determination and capability of the Mainland authorities and the 1.3 billion Chinese people to maintain its national unity and to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs should not be underestimated by any individual or any party. He also emphasizes that the Mainland has never abandoned its efforts at peace and will continue to work for peaceful unification through its utmost sincerity and efforts. However, it firmly opposes any form of splitting activities by the Taiwan independence forces."

April 13, 2004
PRC Vice President Zeng Qinghong states to visiting US Vice President Cheney that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is a part of China, a fact that the election results in Taiwan cannot change. He hopes that the US side will stop selling weapons to Taiwan and will not send wrong signals to Taiwan independence advocates."

April 14, 2004
The MAC expresses utmost regret over the repeated malicious criticism and defamation of President Chen Shui-bian by the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office. The Mainland adds political and emotional flavor to every issue and this is the main reason for the inability of cross-Strait relations to maintain stable development. It is hoped that the Mainland will remove its preset political obstacles as soon as possible and establish an interaction framework of cross-Strait peace and stability."

April 14, 2004
The Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Li Weiyi criticizes in a press briefing that President Chen Shui-bian's timetable for the referendum on the formulation of a new constitution in 2006 is "plainly a timetable for Taiwan independence," which will cause tension and danger in the Taiwan Strait. He reiterates that the principle of "one China" is the foundation for cross-Strait dialogue and negotiations. The Mainland will not change its position. Cross-Strait negotiations will be resumed anytime as long as the principle of "one China" is acknowledged."

April 14, 2004
PRC President Hu Jintao states during his meeting with US Vice President Cheney that the greatest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is the separatist movement waged by Taiwan independence forces. He also demands the US side to honor its commitments and oppose Taiwan independence and any words or deeds by Taiwan leader to unilaterally change the status quo of Taiwan."

April 14, 2004
Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Military Commission Jiang Zemin asserts during his meeting with US Vice President Cheney that "the Taiwan issue involves the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of China, as well as the future course of Sino-US relations and the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region." He hopes that the US will adhere to its commitments on the Taiwan issue and will not send any wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces. As soon as the Taiwan issue is solved, there will be greater room for the development of Sino-US relations."

April 20, 2004
In a meeting with Professor Ross Terrill of the Harvard University's Fairbank Center, President Chen Shui-bian emphasizes that writing a new constitution for the Republic of China is an undertaking in line with democratic processes, but by no means represents a timetable for Taiwan independence. He says Beijing's accusation that a new constitution is a move toward independence is immoral and irresponsible, and that the constitutional reengineering will not be postponed because of Beijing's opposition."

April 20, 2004
In a meeting with Dr. Jong-Wook Lee, Director-General of the World Health Organization, PRC President Hu Jintao states that it wishes to promote cross-Strait exchanges in the areas of medical & health under the foundation of the principle of "one China" to assist Taiwanese health experts in joining international activities on health and medicine."

April 23, 2004
In a meeting with former US President George H.W. Bush at the Boao Forum on Hainan Island, PRC President Hu Jintao reiterates that the Taiwan issue is the most important and most sensitive core issue in Sino-US relations. The firm opposition against Taiwan independence is very important to the preservation of peace in the Taiwan Strait and to the development of "Sino"-US relations."

April 27, 2004
President Chen Shui-bian addresses the Nordic Conference on Taiwan via teleconference and urges the Mainland hoping that both sides of the Strait will resume dialogue as soon as possible without any precondition set forth by either side."

April 28, 2004
PRC Premier Wen Jiabao expresses during an interview with the Irish Times that the Taiwan issue is entirely different in nature from the North Ireland issue. The Mainland's Taiwan policy is to adhere to the "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" and achieve peaceful reunification through its greatest efforts. However, it will not allow Taiwan's separation from China."

April 29, 2004
SEF Chairman Koo Chen-fu points out in a written statement in commemoration of the 11th anniversary of the "Koo-Wang Talks" that although the political positions of both sides of the Strait are differing, it is due to this differing positions that there is a need for both sides to exercise tolerance toward differing views and to continue mutual dialogue. It is hoped that both sides could maintain an attitude of mutual tolerance and resume constructive dialogue, to open up a new era of cross-Strait interaction and promote the interests of the people on both sides of the Strait. In this way, both sides can establish a new prospect of peaceful development."

April 29, 2004
Two officers of the Coast Guard Administration on duty were threatened and forced by Mainland fishermen to take them to the Mainland in the course of handling a dispute arising from the collision of fishing vessels belonging to both sides of the Strait. The SEF immediately wrote the Mainland's ARATS to demand the safety of the two Coast Guard officers and to arrange for their safe return to Taiwan. At the same time, the SEF also demanded that the Mainland side no longer appease lawbreakers, so as not to affect the harmony between both sides of the Strait."

May 1, 2004
The Mainland's ARATS sent a fax to the SEF with regard to the earthquake in Hualien and requested the SEF to convey their sympathy and solicitude to the family members of the earthquake victims."

May 6, 2004
President Chen Shui-bian convenes the first meeting of the Cross-Strait Interchange Framework Team. The team will be transformed into a Committee for Cross-Strait Peace and Development. If everything goes smoothly, the President will personally preside over the Committee and consolidate the consensus of the ruling and opposition parties as well as the entire nation. The "Guidelines for Cross-Strait Peace and Development" will be mapped out to serve as the criterion for the promotion of peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations."

May 7, 2004
The MAC promulgates the "Measures for Cross-Strait Sea Freight Facilitation", stipulating the addition of the ports of Taichung and Keelung, in addition to Kaohsiung Port, as ports servicing the "Offshore Trans-Shipment Center." Vessels registered as a flag of convenience and foreign-registered vessels shall also be allowed to transport international cargo, aside from cross-Strait transhipment cargo, to promote cross-Strait freight facilitation."

May 7, 2004
The MAC announces the results of a public survey on the "general public's views on present cross-Strait relations", which shows that 80% of the people in Taiwan are opposed to the Mainland's advocating the "One Country, Two Systems" formula in developing Cross-Strait relations. On the issue of unification or independence, 84% of the public advocates maintaining the status quo defined in a broad sense."

May 12, 2004
The MAC issues a press release in response to the statement made at a press briefing of the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office, urging Beijing authorities to face squarely a "Peace and Stability Framework for Cross-Strait Interactions" and the "Measures for Cross-Strait Sea Freight Facilitation" being promoted by Taiwan, and to refrain from obstructing Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization."

May 12, 2004
In a press briefing, Li Weiyi, Spokesperson of the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office states a recommendation with regard to the formulation of a "unification law," which the Mainland authorities will seriously consider and adopt. He also states that the guiding principles of the Mainland's Taiwan policy will not change, and that both sides of the Strait should conduct equal negotiations on the foundation of the principle of "One China."

May 17, 2004
The Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office is authorized to release a statement on the issue of current cross-Strait relations expressing that at present, the relations across the Taiwan Straits are severely tested, and proposing their position consisting of "the seven proclamations" and "the five disagreements."

May 17, 2004
The Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office is authorized to release a statement on the current situation of cross-Strait relations and criticizes President Chen Shui-bian as breaking his own promises on the "Four No's Plus One" during his previous four-year term and pushing cross-Strait relations to the brink of danger."

May 18, 2004
The Mainland's Xinhua News Agency publishes a commentary entitled "the Chinese People Will Not Tolerate 'Taiwanese Independence' to Split China," which points out that the Mainland will exert its greatest efforts to strive for bright prospects for the development of cross-Strait relations, and that it has made preparations to deal with the worst situation. It is always prepared and determined to thoroughly shatter all plots of the "Taiwanese independence advocates" to split the motherland."

May 18, 2004
The Mainland's People's Daily publishes an article signed under the name "Haofan", which is entitled, "The Present Situation That Both Sides of the Strait Belong to One China Shall Not Be Changed." It criticizes Taiwan's referendum and formulation of a new constitution and emphasizes the Mainland's insistence on the position of the principle of "One China."

May 20, 2004
Chen Shui-bian and Annette Lu are officially inaugurated as the eleventh-term president and vice president of the Republic of China, respectively, with the President immediately making his inaugural address, "Paving the Way for a Sustainable Taiwan." Regarding Cross-Strait relations, the President emphasizes goodwill, peace, and development, and reiterates that the principles and his promise made during his inaugural address on May 20 in 2000 have not changed over the past four years, nor will they change in the next four years."

May 20, 2004
The PRC's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues a statement with regard to the inaugural address of President Chen Shui-bian and criticizes his policies as the "greatest threat to peace and stability" across the Taiwan Strait. The US is urged to refrain from transmitting erroneous signals to Taiwanese independence advocates."

May 21, 2004
In a press briefing, MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu points out that peace and development in cross-Strait relations are the joint responsibility of both sides of the Strait, and are not unilateral demands. Both sides should work more pragmatically and flexibly. He hopes that the Mainland will make a goodwill and positive response toward President Chen Shui-bian's statement in his inaugural address, and carry out its internal proposal and work on the so-called "China's peaceful rise."

May 23, 2004
MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu delivers a congratulatory message on behalf of President Chen Shui-bian at a workshop, "Peace forum: the prospects of Taiwan-Sino-US relations after the presidential elections." The message expresses that "uniting Taiwan, stabilizing cross-Strait relations, maintaining social order, and achieving economic prosperity" will be the President's administrative goals in the next four years and a "peace and stability framework for cross-Strait interactions" will be actively promoted to enable the Taiwanese people to enjoy democracy and progress."

May 24, 2004
The MAC strongly regrets the erroneous perception and position of the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office, which reiterated its "May 17 Statement," and emphasizes that "peace and development" are the joint responsibility of both sides of the Strait. The Mainland is urged not to set up man-made obstacles, to pragmatically create new prospects for future cross-Strait relations."

May 24, 2004
At a regular press briefing, Zhang Mingqing, Director of the Information Bureau of the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office, expresses that the May 20 inaugural address is filled with suggestions that "Taiwan is an independent country." President Chen Shui-bian has not abandoned his position on Taiwanese independence, and has not transmitted any goodwill and sincerity to improve cross-Strait relations. At the same time, he also expresses their refusal to welcome Taiwanese people who make money in the Mainland and return to Taiwan to support "Taiwanese independence."

May 26, 2004
The Mainland's People's Daily publishes a commentary entitled, "Depackaging Taiwan Independence Attempts," which points out that President Chen Shui-bian's May 20 inaugural address is merely playing the same old tricks and trying to cover up his position on Taiwanese independence with flowery language."

May 27, 2004
President Chen Shui-bian receives the Co-chairman of the Taiwan Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives Steve Chabot and points out that his May 20 inaugural address should be beneficial to the cross-Strait reopening of the door to negotiations. Both sides should take advantage of this opportunity and not be affected by the hostility or the deliberate distortion of the other side of the Strait."

May 27, 2004
MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu states that an invitation will be extended again to the Mainland's ARATS Chairman Wang Daohan to come to Taiwan to visit SEF Chairman Dr. Koo Chen-fu. The Government will coordinate in arranging for the officials that will join in the meeting, the issues to be discussed in the meeting, and the venue of the meeting."

May 28, 2004
An official of the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office expresses that the premise for Wang Daohan's visit to Taiwan is that Taiwan should acknowledge the principle of "One China." Once the Taiwan side agrees with the premise, both Koo and Wang can meet right away."

May 29, 2004
In an address at a session with the new Cabinet ministers, President Chen Shui-bian states that cross-Strait relations are not the responsibility of a single ministry or a council, but is the responsibility of the entire Government."

May 29, 2004
Premier Yu Shyi-kun emphasizes that both sides of the Strait should conduct exchanges, engage in a dialogue, and put aside disputes to stabilize cross-Strait relations. Cross-Strait exchanges should be progressed step by step, and the Government should adopt the three-stage measures, including the transmittal of goodwill intentions, the expansion of the scope of exchanges, and the build-up of consensus between the ruling and opposition parties."

May 30, 2004
The Xinhuanet publishes an article, "International Observer: Curbing Separatist Activities of 'Taiwanese Independence Advocates' Is Key to Preserving Peace and Stability Across the Taiwan Strait," which speaks in defense of the Mainland's active reinforcement of its military deployment to forestall Taiwanese independence. At the same time, it sternly condemns the US, which it says should take responsibility for the worsening of cross-Strait relations."

May 31, 2004
The headline of the overseas edition of the Mainland's People's Daily points out that the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Zhang Mingqing has stated at a press briefing that the Mainland does not welcome Taiwanese businessmen who make money in the Mainland and return to Taiwan to support Taiwanese independence, which refers to the so-called pro-green Taiwanese businessmen. Among these businessmen, the name that first comes to mind is Hsu Wen-lung."

May 31, 2004
Hong Kong's newspaper Takungpao reports that the Mainland's armed forces will hold joint military exercises at Dongshan Island in Fujian in June. It is the first time that the objective of the exercises is "to vie for air domination over the Taiwan Strait."

June 1, 2004
Premier Yu Shyi-kun says at the Legislative Yuan that the Mainland's pinpointing of Chi Mei Electronics Corporation Chairman Hsu Wen-lung is a strong statement saying that it does not welcome and support pro-green and pro-independence Taiwanese businessmen going to the Mainland. This is an opportunity to make Taiwanese businessmen understand the importance of dispersing their investment risks. The Government has actively planned its "turn-around policy" with hopes of forging closer cooperations with countries in the Indo-Chinese Peninsula in the future.

June 1, 2004
Premier Yu Shyi-kun emphasizes during his report on the Guiding Principles for the Government's Policy that the Government will continue to relax and expand cross-Strait trade and economic exchanges, to prioritize the implementation of the "Measures for Cross-Strait Freight Facilitation", to prevent Taiwan's economy from overly tilting toward the Mainland, and to maintain the principality and the initiative of Taiwan's economic development.

June 1, 2004
With regard to the Mainland's pinpointing of Chi Mei Electronics Corporation Chairman Hsu Wen-lung and other Taiwanese businessmen and its strong message expressing that it does not welcome pro-green and pro-independence Taiwanese businessmen going to the Mainland, MAC Chairman Jaushieh Joseph Wu urges the Mainland to provide lawful guarantee to all the commercial activities of Taiwanese businessmen in the Mainland, and that it should not make unreasonable political interferences. It is hoped that the Mainland's words and actions would be consistent, and that there would be no more such cases.

June 2, 2004
The "Current Events Report" magazine run by the Mainland's Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the communist Party of China points out that the Mainland's "peaceful rise" faces six major challenges. In the aspects of national sovereignty and territorial security, the Taiwan issue is a "major unstable factor." Moreover, the US is the greatest external obstacle blocking the Mainland's accomplishment of its national reunification.

June 3, 2004
Spokesperson of the PRC's Taiwan Affairs Office Zhang Mingqing stresses that the Mainland's position on its trade and economic policy with Taiwan has been clearly stated in the "May 17 Statement." Every concrete measure is founded on the contents of the Statement. However, an official of the Taiwan Affairs Office acknowledged in private that the principle of "handling affairs in accordance with the law" will be adopted in dealing with the investments and operations of "pro-green Taiwanese businessmen" in the future; these will not be handled leniently, as in previous cases.

June 3, 2004
An article of Wang Jianmin, assistant researcher at the Taiwan Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, published by the China.org.cn under the Mainland's State Council points out that Taiwan's economy will be paralyzed within two months if the Mainland employs a harsher "economic blockade" on Taiwan.

June 7, 2004
The Hong Kong Wenweipo reports that Mainland authorities have stated that if the US does not sell advanced weapons to Taiwan, the Mainland will consider withdrawing the ballistic missiles deployed along its southeastern coast.

June 8, 2004
After his attendance at the official inauguration ceremony of the Taiwanese Businessmen's website at tbm.cna.hk of the Central News Agency, MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu states during a press interview that the MAC encourages cross-Strait media exchanges. At present, it has been planned to allow reporters of the Mainland's China News Services to station in Taiwan to cover news events. This will be publicly announced as soon as the planning procedures have been completed. With regard to the measures temporarily postponing the arrival of the reporter from the People's Daily to Taiwan, this is a clear message from the MAC informing the Mainland's officials and media that there should be no more cases pinpointing the so-called "pro-green Taiwanese businessmen". Taiwan does not welcome such harassment.

June 8, 2004
A commentary entitled "The Plot Behind Chen Shui-bian's Relaxation of Cross-Strait Relations" and published by the China.org.cn under the PRC's State Council points out that Chen Shui-bian's extending an olive branch of "peace" and "relaxation" is merely taking advantage of the confusion to relax the pressure coming from within and without the island. There is actually a plot behind it.

June 11, 2004
MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu states that it has always been the policy of the Government to promote the "Three Links." However, the Mainland has set up political obstacles which could not be overcome by the Taiwan side. The leaders of the other side of the Strait have often been saying that cross-Strait trade and economic exchanges should not be affected by political interventions. We hope that the other side of the Strait could refer back to Qian Qichen's statement more than one year ago, which was that the "one China" need not be brought up in the negotiations of the "Three-Links," so as to allow both sides of the Strait to commence non-political negotiations.

June 11, 2004
An article by Qing Feng Jian, entitled "The Hidden Agenda Behind the 'Taiwanese Independence' Rhetorics: A Commentary on Chen Shui-bian's May 20 Inaugural Address" and published by the People's Daily, points out that Chen Shui-bian's peace is "peaceful Taiwanese independence" and "peaceful division." However, this is an impasse that has no way out. There are only two choices right before Chen Shui-bian: one is reining in his horse at the brink of the precipice and putting a halt to Taiwanese independence; the other one is acting arbitrarily and getting burnt by playing with fire.

June 13, 2004
With regard to the public criticism by the overseas edition of the People's Daily of pro-green Taiwanese businessmen, Spokesperson of the PRC's Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Zhang Mingqing makes an unprecedented official response during a meeting with a Taiwanese press delegation at Harbin emphasizing that this matter is targeted only at a few Taiwanese businessmen. The lawful interests of the majority of Taiwanese businessmen are still being protected. At the same time, he states that the foundation for a Koo-Wang meeting does not exist under the present cross-Strait atmosphere.

June 15, 2004
During the visit of MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu to the "Hsinchu Refugee Camp for Mainland Chinese," he urges the Mainland to reinforce its discipline on its citizens, and strictly check on and arrest persons responsible for illegal stowaways. Both the Straits Exchange Foundation and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait should sign an agreement as soon as possible on the repatriation of stowaways, so as to solve the problem completely.

June 15, 2004
In a regular press briefing of the PRC's Foreign Affairs Ministry, Spokesperson Zhang Qiyue asserts that Taiwan is part of China and is not qualified to join the World Health Organization (WHO) as a member country or an associate member. Neither does it have the qualification to participate in the activities of the WHO as an observer. The real motive behind the Taiwan authorities' attempts to join the WHO is to create "two Chinas" and "One China, One Taiwan" in the international arena.

June 16, 2004
Presiding over the 80th founding anniversary of the Military Academy, President Chen Shui-bian delivers his address stating that in facing the growing threats of the Mainland, only the determination to transcend political parties and personal interests will strengthen Taiwan's self-defense capabilities; only the establishment of our capability for an "effective counteraction" will Taiwan's military forces be able to effectively deter, the possible military adventure that could be created by the Mainland.

June 16, 2004
During a press briefing conducted by the PRC's Ministry of Commerce on its holding of an International Fair for Investment and Trade, Vice Minister Ma Xiuhong emphasizes that the Mainland's policy to encourage Taiwanese businessmen to investment in the Mainland has not changed. However, the Mainland is firmly opposed to Taiwanese businessmen or other people supporting Taiwanese independence.

June 17, 2004
During an interview by reporters from both sides of the Strait in Fuzhou, Deputy Director of the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Wang Zaixi points out that the Mainland's policy on cross-Strait exchanges after May 20 has not changed; policies on Taiwanese businessmen and Taiwanese artists at present have not been affected. The protest against A-Mei in Hangzhou was just an indiviual case.

June 24, 2004
Delivering an address at the Dragon Boat Festival gathering of Taiwanese businessmen, MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu states that there are two main directions in the present cross-Strait policy. First is the promotion of cross-Strait exchanges and negotiations. Second is the promotion of the establishment of a framework of interaction for cross-Strait peace and stability. He reiterates that since the direct cross-Strait transportation involves too many items related to government authority, the key to its implementation lies on cross-Strait negotiations. It is not excluded to open up flexible channels for negotiations allowing civilian organizations other than the existing Straits Exchange Foundation and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait to participate in negotiations.

June 26, 2004
Lecturing on "Peace and Development for Cross-Strait Relations" at the invitation of the Ketagalan Institute, MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu points out that the recent modernization of the Mainland's military forces has been rapid. Under this military pressure, Taiwan should beef up its defense capability, promote regional security in East Asia, seek international support, and promote a mechanism of military mutual trust across the Strait, so as to avoid accidental conflicts and minimize the possible effects of military unbalance between both sides of the Strait.

June 30, 2004
MAC Spokesperson Chiu Tai-san states that with regard to the more concrete explanation and position of the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office on the promotion of the "Three-Links" across the Strait, the Taiwan side considers it contains a certain degree of goodwill. Under the circumstance that there would be no pre-conditions set, Taiwan is willing to commence negotiations with the Mainland side as early as possible on any issue including the "Three-Links."

June 30, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation sends an official letter to the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait demanding that the Mainland side send vessels as soon as possible to repatriate the more than 2,700 stowaways who have overstayed in Taiwan and have been awaiting deportation. If the Mainland has any difficulty in dispatching ships, the Taiwan side is willing to rent appropriate vessels to execute the mission of repatriating the stowaways.

June 30, 2004
At a regular press briefing of the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office, Spokesperson Li Weiyi expresses that the "Three-Links" are an internal affairs of the Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. The core message of the previous statements of Qian Qichen on the "Three-Links" is that this is a "domestic affair." Under this premise, negotiations on its operations and other technical aspects may not involve the political significance of "one China." If the Taiwan side indeed is sincere and agrees with the entire position and opinion of Qian Qichen on the "Three-Links" issue, then the Mainland welcomes Taiwan's authorization of any civilian organization or industrial organization to negotiate the "Three-Links" at any time.

July 2, 2004
With regard to the announcement of the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau that it has cracked down a cross-Strait telephone fraud case, MAC Vice Chairman Chiu Tai-san states in a regular press briefing that each side persists in the implementation of their respective judicial jurisdiction, but if the Mainland authorities insist on their jurisdiction over this case, then the matter will get more complicated. The MAC will try to communicate with the other side through certain channels and make it clear that the alleged Taiwanese criminals should be repatriated to Taiwan for trial, which would be more convenient and more effective.

July 5, 2004
The Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait sends a cable to the Straits Exchange Foundation expressing sympathy and solicitude for the Taiwanese people who suffered from the typhoon Mindulle.

July 7, 2004
The China Youth Daily run by the Communist Youth League of China publishes a long article in its "Military Weekly Magazine" quoting the statement of PRC's Minister of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson that the military exercises will be conducted at Dongshan Island in July this year. The article points out that the Dongshan military exercises this year have a very definite target, and that the exercises show that the Chinese military will attack and seize by force the Penghu Islands once Taiwan declares independence.

July 8, 2004
In a lecture to the graduating students of the five military schools on the theme, "Peace and Development: Creating a New Win-win Situation Across the Strait," MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu points out that the objectives of the Government's cross-Strait policy are peace and development, and the preservation of cross-Strait peace and stability. The best solution to cross-Strait differences is freedom of choice. With the consent of the Taiwanese people, the possibility of establishing any form of cross-Strait relationship is not excluded.

July 8, 2004
In receiving visiting US national security adviser Condoleezza Rice in Beijing, Jiang Zemin, Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, expresses his serious concern about and dissatisfaction with Taiwan's arms purchase from the US, and states that the Mainland persists in its guiding principles of "peaceful unification" and "one country, two systems" toward Taiwan and that it will never tolerate Taiwanese independence.

July 8, 2004
In a meeting with the visiting US national security adviser Condoleezza Rice in Beijing, PRC's Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Zhaoxing declares that Taiwan is part of China. There will be nothing to discuss once the foundation of the principle of "one China" is abandoned. Li also mentions his "three stops" request, which is strongly demanding the US to stop military communications with Taiwan, to stop official communications with Taiwan, and to stop supporting Taiwan's participation in the activities of international organizations that only sovereign countries can join.

July 11, 2004
Regarding the visit to Taiwan by Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, PRC's Minister of Affairs Spokesperson Zhang Qiyue states that the Taiwan issue directly affects the Mainland's sovereignty and territorial integrity and that the Mainland is firmly opposed to countries that have diplomatic relations with China conducting any form of official exchanges with Taiwanese authorities.

July 12, 2004
On the use of Mainland-issued coins and notes (known as Renminbi) in Taiwanese commercial establishments, MAC Spokesperson Chiu Tai-san states that it is being considered to allow trial implementation at certain points, mainly the international airports and sea ports. However, this has to be finalized through inter-ministerial negotiations. Moreover, accompanying measures that go with the actual implementation should be comprehensively assessed by the Central Bank.

July 12, 2004
During a visit to the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of New York, MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu states that the Government has tried its best to transmit its goodwill intentions after May 20. The present atmosphere of cross-Strait relations has eased up, and it is hoped that both sides could establish a "peace and stability framework for cross-Strait interactions", set up the channels for dialogue, and resume negotiations.

July 13, 2004
During his visit to New York, MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu states that the Government is actively seeking to conduct a dialogue with Beijing and trying to create a space which is more vague and which is acceptable to both sides, to resume cross-Strait dialogue. He also reiterates that there should be no pre-conditions on the resumption of talks.

July 13, 2004
MAC Spokesperson Chiu Tai-san urges the other side of the Strait to sign a travel agreement with Taiwan as soon as possible, to guarantee the safety of Taiwanese travelers, and reiterates the Government's hope and intention to resume institutionalized negotiations as soon as possible, hoping that a permanent solution will be found to address the related issues that concern people's lives and the economy. Any form of negotiations model is acceptable as long as the other side has the intention. Related laws on allowing civilian organizations other than the existing Straits Exchange Foundation and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait to participate in negotiations can be announced and completed at any time.

July 13, 2004
The PRC's Minister of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Zhang Qiyue declares in a regular press briefing that the Taiwan issue is an internal affair of the Mainland. The Mainland has never allowed, and will never allow any country or any individual to pass on certain messages for both sides of the Strait. She states that it is the Taiwanese independence forces that are the threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. No individual should transmit any wrong signals to them.

July 13, 2004
Sun Weide, Spokesperson of the PRC's embassy in Washington D. C., points out that the Taiwan issue involves the Mainland's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and has all along been the most important and the most sensitive issue existing between China and the US. The Mainland persists in its guiding principles of "one China" and the "one country, two systems," and will exert its unremitting efforts in peacefully solving of the Taiwan issue. The Mainland will never condone Taiwan's independence.

July 15, 2004
The Hong Kong Wen Wei Po reports that the enlarged session of the Mainland's Central Military Commission proposed anew a timetable for the solution of the Taiwan issue. The Beijing side has noticed the announcement of President Chen Shui-bian that a referendum on a new Constitution will be conducted in December 2006, and that a "new Constitution" and a "Taiwanese independence timetable" will be promulgated in May 2008, causing the Mainland to feel a pressing need to solve the Taiwan issue. Although the first 20 years of the 21st century is considered a favorable period of time for the Mainland's development, the possibility of solving the Taiwan issue within this period is not excluded.

July 15, 2004
The official Xinhuanet of the Mainland cites a report published on the "Outlook Weekly" and in Shanghai dailies that the curtain has lifted on the Dongshan military exercises. The "Outlook Weekly" has also cited the statements of Mainland military analysts that the objectives of the Dongshan military exercises were to mainly enhance the joint fighting capability of the military forces under modern high-tech conditions, to declare to the Taiwanese independence advocates that the People's Liberation Army has the capability and the confidence to solve the Taiwan issue through the use of force, and to declare to the whole world that it is China's internal affairs to settle the Taiwan issue and that it will tolerate no foreign country to poke its nose into the matter.

July 20, 2004
In an exclusive interview with the Radio Taiwan International, MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu states that the Mainland should face up to the cross-Strait status quo. If the Beijing authorities do not want Taiwan and the Mainland to go on separate ways, they should resume negotiations on substantial issues with Taiwan as soon as possible. Taiwan's stance on cross-Strait negotiations is "there should be no pre-set conditions; the scope of issues to be discussed is not restricted." Taiwan has proposed more than ten substantial issues for discussion, including currency settlement, investment protection agreement, supervision of financial entities, protection of intellectual property rights, and cross-Strait cargo facilitation, hoping that this would become the foundation for cross-Strait cooperation that will enable them to achieve their ultimate goal of cross-Strait peace.

July 23, 2004
MAC Vice Chairman Chiu Tai-san states that allowing the companies of Taiwanese businessmen overseas to return to Taiwan to go public involves the question of fairness regarding the businesses run by the companies going public. This matter needs to be carefully handled. In the future, those Taiwanese businessmen "rooted" in Taiwan will still be the main targets of this relaxation measure.

July 23, 2004
Regarding the seventeen Mainland tourists who were collectively missing in Taiwan, Mainland officials are putting the responsibility on Taiwan. MAC Vice Chairman Chiu Tai-san urges the Mainland authorities to restrain the officials concerned from issuing irresponsible and ignorant statements. Otherwise, they would not only give rise to disgust among the Taiwan people, but would also affect the positive develoment of cross-Strait relations.

July 23, 2004
The Hong Kong Wen Wei Po reports that after going through several months of adaptive training at sea and other organized training regimen, the 18,000 soldiers of the People's Liberation Army assembled at Dongshan Island, Fujian Province, will in a few days commence the joint exercises among navy, army, and air force at the maritime area along the border between Fujian and Guangdong Provinces. The unprecedented goal of this military exercise is to vie for control over Taiwan's sea space, and to make it clear that the People's Liberation Army has changed its traditional military concept of going to war with the army playing a major role.

July 26, 2004
The MAC announces that two reporters of a fifth Mainland news agency, the China News Services, will be allowed to be stationed in Taiwan to cover news events within a two-month trial period. After trial period, an assessment will be made to decide whether or not to formally allow the said news agency to station reporters in Taiwan.

July 28, 2004
On receiving Alain Madelin, a French deputy in the French National Assembly, President Chen Shui-bian states that the European Union's successful experience in integrating the common interests of the people of Europe is worth emulating and reflecting on, which can especially serve as a reference for Taiwan in handling cross-Strait affairs.

July 28, 2004
Addressing the opening ceremony of the Forum on Cross-Strait Relations, Deputy Director Wang Zaixi of the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office emphasizes that contemporary cross-Strait relations are grim, and that the development of the Taiwanese independence forces and its separatist activities are increasingly becoming the greatest threat to the peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. At the same time, he also warns that it would be extremely dangerous if the Taiwan authorities act arbitrarily, and continue to wrongly assume that the Mainland will tolerate the separatist activities of the Taiwanese independence forces in view of its development of its economy and holding of the Olympics.

July 28, 2004
In an interview after the opening ceremonies of the Forum on Cross-Strait Relations, Deputy Director Wang Zaixi of the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office states that the Mainland hopes Taiwan will view the cross-Strait "Three-Links" and the direct transportation links as domestic affairs, and that cross-Strait routes are domestic routes.

July 28, 2004
Deputy Director Sun Yafu of the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office explains that the Mainland believes that a few minority of the Taiwanese businessmen supporting Taiwanese independence are those that "stubbornly cling to the advocacy and position of Taiwanese independence, actively participate in separatist activities of Taiwanese independence advocates, and create extremely abominable influences."

July 29, 2004
During a speech at the Zuoying naval base in Kaohsiung, President Chen Shui-bian reiterates that only by being prepared for war shall we be able to prevent and stop war. He urges the leaders of the other side of the Strait to face up to the concept of "peace and development" proposed in his May 20 inaugural address, and reiterates that only through mutual respect and dialogue will the foundation of a long period of stability be established for the peoples on both sides of the Strait and their future generations.

July 29, 2004
During a tea session with the media at the National Museum of Taiwan Literature, President Chen Shui-bian points out that regarding the Mainland's intention to formulate a so-called "Unification Law" in an attempt to draw up Taiwan as a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China, the Taiwan people cannot afford to have no vigilance and they should be able to realize the importance and value of national security. It is hoped that everybody will face up to this serious problem together.

July 29, 2004
A board meeting of the Straits Exchange Foundation is convened and a resolution is passed appointing MAC Vice Chairman Johnnason Liu as the new Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Straits Exchange Foundation. Liu also states that there should be no pre-set conditions and issues in the negotiations on cross-Strait affairs and hopes that negotiations on every issue shall be resumed as soon as possible.

July 29, 2004
In an address at a board meeting of the Straits Exchange Foundation, Chairman Dr. Koo Chen-fu states that there are differing opinions and lines of thinking between both sides of the Strait, which should be patched up through negotiations and dialogue. Therefore, the present goal that both sides should strive for is to actively promote the resumption of negotiations as soon as possible.

July 29, 2004
In an interview with the Taiwanese media during the Forum on Cross-Strait Relations, Deputy Director Wang Zaixi of the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office states that there is no official document in the Mainland's internal quarters demanding that the "Taiwan issue" be necessarily solved by 2020. As to the formulation of a Unification Law or an Anti-separatist Law, it is still under serious study. But if the separatist elements of Taiwanese independence persist in holding a referendum on the formulation of a new Constitution in 2008, the possibility of the outbreak of a cross-Strait war is not excluded.

July 29, 2004
The Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Deputy Director Sun Yafu points out that both sides of the Strait can resume dialogue and talks, conduct negotiations on an equal basis, officially terminate the current state of antagonism, establish a mechanism of military mutual trust across the Strait, and jointly create cross-Strait relations that are within the framework of peaceful and stable development, as long as the Taiwan authorities recognize that both the Mainland and Taiwan belong to "One China". He further proposes three views on cross-Strait trade and economic relations, that is, both sides jointly oppose Taiwanese independence, the Mainland will continue to encourage cross-Strait trade and economic exchanges and cooperation, and the cross-Strait comprehensive "Three-Links" will continue to be promoted after all obstructions have been eliminated.

July 30, 2004
Delivering an address at the joint opening ceremony of the "Fourth Class of the National Development Program" and the "Fourth Class of the Female Leadership Development Program", President Chen Shui-bian states that the consistent ideals, principles, and promises previously proposed for cross-Strait policies will not change in the next four years. With the consent of the 23 million Taiwanese people, the possibility of developing any form of relationship with the People's Republic of China is not excluded.

July 30, 2004
In response to the proposal by the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office of a concept of the cross-Strait "Three-Links" patterned after the model of Taiwan-Hong Kong exchanges, MAC Vice Chairman Chiu Tai-san states that this is "one of several possible choices." The Government maintains a flexible and open stance on the issues related to the "Three-Links." However, the matters that involve government authority need to obtain the approval of the Legislative Yuan. He also reiterates that as long as the Mainland authorities uphold their previous proposal that "the 'Three-Links' are an economic affair, and need not involve any political principle or significance," as a basis of understanding the Taiwan Government has been prepared to conduct negotiations with the other side of the Strait on important matters involving the "Three-Links."

July 30, 2004
US President George Bush calls Mainland President Hu Jintao aboard the Air Force 1. In their discussion about the Taiwan issue, Hu Jintao states that they will strive to show their greatest sincerity and exert their best efforts in solving the Taiwan issue by peaceful means, but they will not tolerate Taiwanese independence, and will not allow any individual to separate Taiwan away from the motherland. Furthermore, they oppose the sale of modernized weapons to Taiwan by the US.

July 31, 2004
During the cocktail party on the occasion of the 77th founding anniversary of the Mainland's People's Liberation Army, PRC's Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan states that there is no peace in "Taiwanese independence," and that there is no stability in division. The Mainland will continue to persist in its guiding principles of "peaceful unification" and "one country, two systems." If the separatist forces of the "Taiwanese independence advocates" continue to act arbitrarily, the Mainland army is determined and is capable of and resolute in crushing any separatist attempts of the "Taiwanese independence advocates."

August 3, 2004
During discussions with senior officials of the Changhua County Government, MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu publicly urges the Mainland to resume negotiations on cross-Strait affairs as soon as possible. Moreover, Chairperson Wu also states that the recent military exercises held on both sides of the Strait are routine exercises, and based on assessment these exercises have not heightened military antagonism between both sides.

August 3, 2004
Receiving Ted Stevens, president pro tempore of the US Senate, at the People's Congress Hall in Beijing, PRC President Hu Jintao urges the US to stop arms sales to Taiwan, to abide by its promises on the Taiwan issue, and to implement them by concrete action, as well as refrain from sending erroneous signals to Taiwan.

August 4, 2004
Receiving Ted Stevens, president pro tempore of the US Senate, PRC Premier Wen Jiabao, reiterates the Mainland's principle and stance in preserving its integrity, and that Taiwan is part of its territory that cannot be split away. Beijing authorities hope that the US side will abide by its promises, and that the US Congress will be able to properly understand and cautiously handle the Taiwan issue, and accomplish matters that are favorable to the stability of the situation across the Taiwan Strait.

August 6, 2004
Speaking at the "Forum on the Peaceful Reunification of China" held by the "Association for Promoting Reunification of China," Deputy Director Wang Zaixi of the PRC's Taiwan Affairs Office reiterates that Beijing insists on "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" as the basic guiding principles for the development of cross-Strait relations. This position will never change.

August 7, 2004
MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu states at the "Consensus Camp of the Counselling Services Mission for Taiwanese Businessmen" that notwithstanding the tense cross-Strait relations, the Government will continue to transmit its goodwill to the Mainland to enable both sides to sit down to engage in substantial negotiations as soon as possible, and to create a set of standards in the middle-term phase of bilateral relations to restrain each other's actions and mode of interaction, thus avoiding conflicts caused by misunderstandings and misjudgments, and, finally, achieving the goal of cross-Strait peaceful co-existence.

August 9, 2004
In an exclusive interview on the radio program, "Super Taiwanese Citizen," MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu points out that the Government earnestly hopes that cross-Strait relations will be developed peacefully and stably. More cultural and educational exchanges should be held if it is hoped that the Mainland will understand Taiwan and mutual understanding will be furthered.

August 10, 2004
At the post-conference dialogue of the 35th Pacific Islands Forum, PRC Vice-Foreign Minister Zhou Wenzhong reiterates the guiding principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems," and that "Taiwan independence" will not be tolerated. He emphasizes that the separatist activities of the "Taiwan independence" remain the greatest threat to the present peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, hoping that the international community will fully understand the sensitivity and danger of this state of affairs.

August 11, 2004
PRC Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kong Quan points out in Beijing that China is firmly opposed against the proposal of Chad and other countries requesting the 59th United Nations Assembly to deliberate on the issue of Taiwan's representation in the United Nations.

August 12, 2004
Attending the first Plenum of the Second Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association, President Chen Shui-bian states that to cope with the currently intense international competition and changes, and the ever-changing cross-Strait situation, the principal axis of the chief mission of the present administration is "to unite Taiwan, to stabilize both sides of the Strait, to ensure the stability of the community, and to bring about economic prosperity."

August 12, 2004
China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Zhang Yishan meets with UN Deputy-Secretary General Louise Frechette, and hands over a letter to UN Secretary General Kofi A. Annan. The letter points out that Taiwan is an area part of the PRC, and that the PRC's scope of representation at the United Nations naturally includes Taiwan. There is simply no such issue as the so-called "Taiwan's representation in the United Nations."

August 12, 2004
At the celebrations held at the People's Congress Hall in Beijing commemorating China National Radio's (CNR) 50th anniversary of broadcasting to Taiwan, Xu Guangchuan, deputy head of the Propaganda Department of the CPC Central Committee and Director of State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television, states that CNR will surely carry through the principles of the "three closenesses" in the future, and continue to augment the propaganda on "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems," to make the programs broadcasted to Taiwan well-loved by the people on the island.

August 13, 2004
During his stopovers in Los Angeles, Executive Yuan Premier Yu Shyi-Kun attends a luncheon with the overseas Taiwanese community and urges the overseas community to support the Government and the arms purchase, saying that both sides of the Strait should engage in exchanges and dialogue, establish a mechanism of mutual military trust, and prevent war.

August 13, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) writes the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) with regard to the typhoon that swept the Zhejiang area in the Mainland causing huge losses in the people's lives and property. The SEF requests the ARATS to convey their sincere sympathies to the victims and their family members in the disaster areas.

August 17, 2004
Receiving a group of representatives from the Council for Industrial and Commercial Development of the Republic of China, President Chen Shui-bian states that the Government is now actively working on the establishment of a Committee for Cross-Strait Peace and Development with hope of drafting the Guidelines for Cross-Strait Peace and Development to normalize relations between Taiwan and mainland China as soon as possible. At the same time, he also says that as long as the cross-Strait "Three Links" are treated as cross-Strait routes, the "Three Links" can be implemented at any time.

August 20, 2004
At the "Forum on Related Problems Encountered by Taiwanese Enterprises Going Public" held in Suzhou, He Shizhong, director of the Economic Department of PRC Taiwan Affairs Office, states that the Mainland will try its best to use legal means to help Taiwanese businessmen solve financing difficulties that arise in their business operations.

August 20, 2004
With regard to the two successive incidents involving the collective "disappearance" of Mainland tourists in Taiwan since July, Cui Zhikun, director of the Bureau of the Exit-Entry Administration of the PRC's Ministry of Public Security urges Taiwan to send its representatives to the Mainland as soon as possible for joint negotiations to resolve this new form of stealing into the island of Taiwan. The best solution to the problem is for Taiwan to allow Mainland people to come directly to Taiwan for sightseeing.

August 22, 2004
At the 100th anniversary celebration of Deng Xiaoping's birthday, PRC President Hu Jintao states that the Chinese authorities will continue to carry out the basic guiding principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems," and the present-stage development of cross-Strait relations, to push on the eight proposals for the motherland's peaceful reunification timetable, to vigorously expand cross-Strait personnel exchanges, as well as economic and cultural exchanges, and create a new prospect for cross-Strait economic cooperation. He also emphasizes that Mainland authorities will fight for peaceful reunification through their utmost sincerity and efforts; at the same time, they are also determined and capable of smashing any plot to separate Taiwan away from China.

August 25, 2004
The Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait writes the Straits Exchange Foundation conveying their sympathy and solicitude to the Taiwanese compatriots affected by Typhoon Aere.

August 26, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation writes a thankful letter to the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait for its showing sympathy to the victims of Typhoon Aere, which lashed at Taiwan causing losses in people's lives and property.

August 28, 2004
In coordination with the budget review for 2005, the MAC submits its report on "the Present Situation and Future Development of Cross-Strait Relations" to the Legislative Yuan, pointing out that in the future, the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait conflicts will be the main trend, and that economic development will be the joint objective of both sides of the Strait. It is hoped that relative stability of cross-Strait relations will be maintained continually.

August 28, 2004
Attending the conference on "the Challenges and Prospects of Democratization in Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Mainland" jointly hosted by the Friends of Hong Kong and Macau Association, Foundation on International and Cross-Strait Studies, and the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, President Chen Shui-bian delivers an address, "Looking Forward to Democracy Becoming a Common Value in Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Mainland," saying that the most important item on the agenda of Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Mainland in the 21st century is not the timetable for unification, but the timetable for democracy. The improvement in democratization and the democratic system will be the cornerstone of future cooperation, dialogue, and stability among Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Mainland. It is hoped that based on the spirit and principle of democracy, the Mainland and Taiwan would resume benign interaction and dialogue, and seek the possibility of cross-Strait cooperation and mutual prosperity.

August 29, 2004
With regard to the draft of the US Republican Party's new platform involving the cross-Strait issue, PRC Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kong Quan states in response to reporters' questions that the proper handling of the Taiwan issue is the key to developing constructive cooperation between the US and China. The three Sino-US communiques are the political foundations of Sino-US relations. The Chinese side is firmly opposed against any statement or action that runs counter to the three Sino-US communiques.

August 30, 2004
The MAC Council Meeting passes the amendment of certain portions of the "Operational Regulations Governing the Establishement of Offshore Trans-Shipment center," including the following main points: the scope of operations of the Offshore Trans-shipment Center will be expanded from trans-shipment operations into conveying import and export cargo to and from the Mainland and the third areas; foreign vessels that sail directly between the Offshore Trans-shipment Center and sea ports in the Mainland Area and between offshore trans-shipment centers can do so only after designation; and carriers will be provided with information on the volume of operations for their reference and examination.

August 31, 2004
Attending a dinner hosted by the overseas Chinese community in Hawaii, President Chen Shui-bian says that the peoples on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the same culture and the same ethnic origin; there is no reason for them to continue being hostile to each other. The ultimate objective is the hope to lead the Taiwanese people to pursue cross-Strait peace and world peace.

September 2, 2004
President Chen Shui-bian states in his electronic news webpage, President A-bian's Electronic Paper, that it is indeed necessary that a democratic country maintain its basic defense capabilities. We must strengthen our sense of crisis, especially when facing evident and unceasing military threats coming from a non-democratic country. The freedom, democracy, and the assurance of human rights enjoyed by people in Taiwan are the basis of a peaceful and safe life for everybody, as well as an asset in global competition. It is hoped that we will join efforts in building permanent peace across the Strait, based on our determination and patience in pursuing democracy.

September 2, 2004
In a televised address to mark September 3rd Armed Forces Day, President Chen Shui-bian reiterates that it is a historical fact, as well as a description of the present situation, that the Republic of China is an independent and sovereign country. It is the Government's objective to pursue "goodwill, active cooperation, and permanent peace" across the Strait. The Government will not sacrifice the country's sovereignty, security, and dignity in exchange for the improvement of cross-Strait relations.

September 3, 2004
The Spokesperson for PRC's Taiwan Affairs Office states that President Chen Shui-bian's so-called "abbreviated form of the country's name" has once again exposed the nature of his separatist attempt to produce an "independent Taiwan." There is only one China in the world, and both Taiwan and the Mainland belong to the same China. And China's sovereignty and territor are inalienable. The separatist plot of Chen Shui-bian's "Taiwanese independence" is contrary to the will of the people and will never succeed.

September 7, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation writes the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait expressing concerns over the losses in the northeastern area of Sichuan Province due to torrential rains, and extending sympathy and condolence to the victims and their families.

September 9, 2004
Hosting a forum for Taiwanese-owned enterprises, Wu Yi, Vice Premier of the PRC's State Council states that the investment environment in the Mainland will be further improved, to fully safeguard the legal interests of the Taiwanese businessmen. Taiwanese compatriots are encouraged to proceed to motherland China to invest and develop their businesses.

September 14, 2004
Meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State James A. Kelly in Beijing, PRC Deputy Foreign Vice Minister Zhou Wenzhong reiterates the Mainland's solemn stand on the Taiwan issue and demands the US side to adhere to the policy of "one China" in real action, to abide by the "three Sino-US communiques," to oppose against "Taiwanese independence," and to stop selling arms to Taiwan.

September 14, 2004
On Taiwan First Lady Wu Sue-jen's heading the delegation to the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games, PRC Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kong Quan states in a regular press briefing that it is hoped that the International Paralympic Committee will execute United Nations Resolution 2758 to properly handle the issue of "one China."

September 15, 2004
In his address for the Video Conference with the New York Press Corps, President Chen Shui-bian reiterates that should the United Nations accept Taiwan, it would certainly provide a most effective international monitoring mechanism for the development of a framework for peace and stability between the two sides of the Strait. Indeed, it would be able to exercise decisive influence on peace in the Taiwan Strait and the security of the Asia-Pacific region. He also expresses his wish that, through the arrangements of the United Nations Correspondents Association, he can engage in a public debate on the issue of Taiwan's participation in the United Nations with Chinese leader Hu Jintao.

September 15, 2004
Spokesperson Zhang Mingqing of the PRC's Taiwan Affairs Office states in a press briefing that the "abbreviated title for the country" advocated by Taiwan authorities has once again exposed Chen Shui-bian's attempt to carry out separatism and "Taiwanese independence," which constitutes an inevitable reflection of the pro-independence nature of Chen Shui-bian. As for the missing Mainland tourists in Taiwan, Zhang Mingqing states that the principle cause of the problem is the unreasonable policy of the Taiwan authorities in obstructing Mainland people from traveling to Taiwan for sightseeing.

September 16, 2004
PRC Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kong Quan points out that as a part of China, Taiwan does not qualify to be admitted to the United Nations, which is an organization composed of sovereign countries. Any action that runs counter to the aims and principles of the United Nations Charter, that violates United Nations Resolution 2758, or that challenges the principle of "one China" acknowledged by the international community, will never obtain the support of the majority of member countries of the United Nations. The 1.3 billion Chinese people, including Taiwanese compatriots, are not even in favor of this.

September 19, 2004
The communique of the Fourth Plenum of the 16th CPC Central Committee points out that the basic guidelines of the "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems," as well as the development of cross-Strait relations in the present stage must be implemented; the Eight-Point Proposal for the peaceful reunification of the motherland must be pushed on; and that the great cause of the reunification of the motherland must be promoted. China is firmly against and must deter the "Taiwanese independence" separatist forces, and stands unswervingly in defending the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

September 20, 2004
Former PRC Central Military Commission Chairman Jiang Zemin states at the expanded conference of the Commission that with regard to the Taiwan issue, the People's Liberation Army is required to get itself prepared in military battles, and to "carry out its sacred mission to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country." He also emphasizes that utmost sincerity and great efforts are required to solve the Taiwan issue, in order to realize peaceful reunification. However, never will China promise to abandon the use of force.

September 20, 2004
PRC President Hu Jintao points out at the expanded conference of the PRC Central Military Commission that the one major issue that is of utmost concern to Chairman Mao and Comrade Deng is the realization of the reunification of the motherland. To solve the Taiwan issue, we must work in utmost sincerity and exert all the possible efforts to realize peaceful reunification. However, never will we promise to abandon the use of force. This is a key political principle. The military should prepare itself for military battles. The better the army is prepared for military battles, the stronger the possibility of achieving the prospect of peaceful reunification.

September 22, 2004
Deputy Director Li Bingcai of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the PRC's State Council states at the Symposium on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Jiangxi and Taiwan that in accordance with the objective patterns of economic development and the expectations of Taiwanese business development, the Mainland will open its capitalist market and fully encourage Taiwanese-owned companies to go public in the Mainland.

September 24, 2004
The Mainland Affairs Council issues a press release stating that it will proceed with its policy to allow reporters of China News Service to be stationed in Taiwan to cover news on a trial basis starting from September 27.

September 24, 2004
Vice Governor Wang Meixiang of the PRC's Fujian Province states that the Fujian authorities have recently decided to allow Fujian residents to travel to Kinmen for sightseeing.

September 26, 2004
The Fourth Plenum of the 16th CPC Central Committee approves to adopt a "CPC Central Committee Decision on the Enhancement of the Party's Governance Capability", which contains the following stipulations: the firm opposition against and the deterrent on "Taiwanese independence" separatist forces; the firm opposition against and the restraining of other countries from interfering in cross-Strait affairs; the determination to quell all attempts to split Taiwan away from China; and the unswerving will to defend the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

September 27, 2004
MAC Vice Chaiman Chiu Tai-san states that in next year's cross-Strait chartered flights during the Chinese Lunar New Year Holidays, Taiwan will not exclude the possibility of implementing "two-way flights." However, this should be negotiated between both sides of the Strait. At the same time, there should not be any political preconditions for the negotiations.

September 27, 2004
In his address at the 50th General Assembly of the United Nations, PRC Foreign Minister Li Zaoxing states that China hopes the international community will fully understand the complex and sensitive nature of the present situation across the Taiwan Strait, will clearly see that the serious harm that the Taiwanese authorities are inflicting on the stability across the Taiwan Straits and the peace in the Asia-Pacific region by engaging in activities that aim to split China, to continue to support the efforts of the Chinese Government in the realization of the peaceful reunification of the country, and to jointly curb the "Taiwanese independence" separatist activities, to promote stability across the Taiwan Strait and world peace.

September 29, 2004
Spokesperson Li Weiyi of the PRC's Taiwan Affairs Office states in a regular press briefing that only when the Taiwan side acknowledges the consensus achieved by the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait and the Straits Exchange Foundation, that is, both sides of the Strait insist on principle of "one China," shall another Koo-Wang meeting be realized and will the functions of both organizations be given full play. The unilateral decisions made by the Taiwanese authorities to change the state that Taiwan is a part of China, including those made through referendums, are illegal and invalid. Never will anyone be allowed to split Taiwan away from China by any means.

September 30, 2004
In receiving the visiting delegation of the "Atlantic Council of the United States," MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu states that the Government has taken a pragmatic and open stance towards engaging in peaceful exchanges with the other side of the Strait based on the interactive framework for peace and stability before both sides of the Strait could achieve a final agreement. In the future, the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China - or Taiwan and China - can seek to establish political relations in any form whatsoever. We would not exclude any possibility, so long as there is the consent of the 23 million people of Taiwan.

September 30, 2004
Premier Wen Jiabao of the PRC's State Council points out during his address at the reception commemorating the 55th anniversary of the PRC's establishment on October 1, 1949 that the basic principle of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" and the "Eight-Point Proposal;" the firm opposition against and suppression of the "Taiwanese independence" separatist forces; and the unswerving determination to defend the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, shall continue to be implemented. The sacred goal of complete unification of the motherland must be realized and shall be realized!

October 3, 2004
In an address at the "2004 Mid-Autumn Festival Gathering of the Taiwanese Businessmen's Associations," President Chen Shui-bian states that the Government will maintain its goodwill and create an environment conducive to cross-Strait interaction as it continues to promote cross-Strait exchanges in journalism, communication, education, culture, as well as the "Three-Links," on the basis of the existing foundations, to resume cross-Strait dialogue and communication channels, establish a foundation for mutual confidence, and pursue peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

October 4, 2004
Executive Yuan Premier Yu Shyi-kun states at the "2004 Mid-Autumn Festival Gathering of the Taiwanese Businessmen's Associations" that the Government will continue to expand and promote cross-Strait trade and economic exchanges that are mutually beneficial and reciprocal, including the relaxation to allow Mainland businessmen to come to Taiwan, to fully implement the policy to allow Mainland people to come to Taiwan for sightseeing, to allow more Mainland products to be imported into Taiwan, to engage in negotiations on the cross-Strait "direct transportation links," and to establish normalized cross-Strait trade and economic relations. He also instructs to the MAC to negotiate with Beijing regarding the arrangement of related matters such as the chartered flights for Taiwanese businessmen during the Chinese Lunar New Year Holidays and the chartered flights for cargo, and be more active in proposing concrete and feasible programs.

October 4, 2004
In an address at the "2004 Mid-Autumn Festival Gathering of Taiwanese Businessmen's Associations," MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu states that to carry out the policy on the chartered flights during the Chinese Lunar New Year Holidays, we can be flexible in our method of negotiations with the Mainland side, and are willing to send an appropriate representative acceptable to both sides to the Mainland to engage in communicating with the authorities concerned, to listen to their views and exchange opinions, to pave the way for further mutual negotiations on the preparations for the chartered flights during the Chinese Lunar New Year Holidays.

October 7, 2004
MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu states at a question-and-answer session at the Legislative Yuan that there is still a possibility of accidental conflicts between both sides of the Strait. Therefore, both sides are urged to resume negotiations as soon as possible, to establish confidence building measures to avoid probable accidental conflicts, and to pursue peace across the Strait.

October 9, 2004
In his address to the leaders of Asian and European nations attending the Fifth Asian and European Summit, PRC Premier Wen Jiabao states that "Taiwanese independence" poses the greatest danger to the situation across the Strait. The Chinese government will fight for peaceful reunification using its utmost sincerity and its greatest efforts. However, they will never allow Taiwan to be separated from its motherland.

October 10, 2004
President Chen Shui-bian points out in his address at the National Day Rally that the sovereignty of the Republic of China is vested with the 23 million people of Taiwan. The Republic of China is Taiwan, and Taiwan is the Republic of China. This is an indisputable fact. If both sides are willing, on the basis of goodwill, to create an environment engendered upon "peace and development and freedom of choice," then in the future, the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China--or Taiwan and China--can seek to establish political relations in any form whatsoever. We would not exclude any possibility, so long as there is the consent of the 23 million people of Taiwan. He also reaffirms the promises and principles set forth in his inaugural speech. Those commitments will be honored during his presidency. It is hoped that, with greater wisdom, both sides could create better opportunities for new development on cross-strait relations. Both sides can use the basis of the 1992 meeting in Hong Kong, to seek possible schemes that are "not necessarily perfect but acceptable," as preparation of a step forward in the resumption of dialogue and consultation. Both sides should formally end the state of hostility across the Taiwan Strait and establish confidence-building measures through consultations and dialogues. Furthermore, both sides should review their armament policies and seek to establish the "Code of Conduct across the Taiwan Strait" as the tangible guarantee of permanent peace in the Taiwan Strait. The executive branch is currently formulating a plan that provides convenient and efficient means to facilitate chartered flights for passengers and cargo. It is our earnest hope that cross-strait consultations can begin as soon as possible, so as to seek further progress in the "Three-Links" policy. Upon the completion of the year-end legislative election, he intends, with utmost sincerity, to invite leaders from all political parties to collaborate in establishing a Committee for Cross-strait Peace and Development and forging ahead with the constitutional reform project.

October 10, 2004
The MAC issues a press release stating that both sides of the Strait should exhibit goodwill to create an environment engendered upon "peace and development and freedom of choice." Extending an olive branch to China in his National Day address, the President proposed a new idea to improve cross-Strait relations and open the window of opportunity for cross-Strait negotiations. Since "peace and development" are the common mindset and language shared by both sides of the Strait, we earnestly urge that China to respond to the goodwill exhibited by the President in a practive, positive manner.

October 13, 2004
In an address at the "2nd General Assembly of the Sixth-Term General Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of China," Executive Yuan Premier Yu Shyi-kun states that President Chen Shui-bian has already transmitted his greatest goowill when he talked on cross-Strait relations during his 2004 National Day address. The administrative branch will also commence negotiations with the other side of the Strait as soon as possible on a plan that provides convenient and efficient means to faciliate chartered flights passengers and cargo, so as to seek further progress in the "Three-Links" policy. We hope the Chinese Government will take advantage of the opening of the "window of opportunity" and return to the spirit of the 1992 meeting in Hong Kong, which is "putting aside the controversies and engaging in pragmatic negotiations," to resume cross-Strait dialogue as soon as possible.

October 13, 2004
Executive Yuan Spokesperson Chen Chi-mai states that the implementation of the chartered flights during the Chinese Lunar New Year Holidays last year for Taiwanese businessmen returning to Taiwan was a very valuable experience, and preconditions should not be set to create obstacles in the future implementation of the cross-Strait chartered flights during the Chinese Lunar New Year Holidays. The Executive Yuan has already expressed its position clearly that negotiations should be carried out for "two-way flights that do not stop over at a third area." It is hoped that the Mainland authorities would make good use of this window of opportunity to properly understand the active and positive goodwill transmitted by President Chen Shui-bian in his National Day address and resume negotiations with us as soon as possible on the basis of the 1992 meeting in Hong Kong.

October 13, 2004
The MAC issues a press release on a plan that provides convenient and efficient means to facilitate chartered flights for passengers and cargo saying that under the circumstance that both sides of the Strait will not set any preconditions, the Taiwan Government already decided on October 11 to approve the "two-way flights without stopping over at a third area" and welcomes any appropriate person authorized by the Mainland to engage in negotiations with us. We will jointly promote communications with the Mainland side with our greatest flexibility and utmost sincerity.

October 13, 2004
Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Zhang Mingqing states at a regular press briefing that the special project on the chartered flights for Taiwanese businessmen during the Chinese Lunar New Year Holidays has been previously implemented. At that time, they proposed cross-Strait direct air links based on the principles of "direct and two-way links, reciprocity and mutual benefit and this matter being a domestic affair." However, the Taiwan authorities have not yet made any response to this matter until now.

October 13, 2004
Regarding President Chen Shui-bian's National Day address, Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Zhang Mingqing states at a press release that in Chen's address, he advocated that, "the Republic of China is Taiwan; Taiwan is the Republic of China." His speech was tainted with "Taiwanese independence" sentiments, which have again seriously provoked the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Chen's mention of relaxation is a fake action to cover up his real motive of "Taiwanese independence." As long as the Taiwanese authorities acknowledge the "1992 Consensus," cross-Strait dialogue and negotiations would be resumed.

October 14, 2004
During his visit to Germany, the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Deputy Director Wang Zaixi states that the separatist activities engaged in by the "Taiwanese independence" separatist forces are a protruding issue that has presently influenced the development of cross-Strait relations. If the Chen administration makes an erroneous judgment on the situation, and makes a reckless move by creating an "independent Taiwan," there will be no other choice for the Mainland but to take the necessary measures in its determination to defend the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity and to thoroughly crush the separatist schemes of the "Taiwanese independence" forces.

October 16, 2004
The Mainland's People's Daily publishes a commentary entitled, "Provocations of Taiwanese independence forces under the mask of falsity," which points out that the National Day address of Chen Shui-bian would not have any positive and constructive significance on cross-Strait relations, as he had repeatedly declared it would beforehand. It has even further exposed the separatist nature of his attempts to carry out Taiwanese independence, and further dampened the atmosphere of cross-Strait relations. This has constituted a grave provocation to the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

October 17, 2004
In an article specially written for the bimonthly New Zealand International Review, MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu points out that peace and development should be the paramount objectives in cross-strait relations. Both sides of the Strait can work together to create a cooperative mode by the following four stages: In the first stage, already underway, Taiwan is pursuing a conciliatory and open policy toward China. Taiwan's government has reviewed its cultural and economic exchange policies, and would like to expand the scope of these cross-strait interactions. In the scond stage, Taiwan will pursue dialogue and negotiation with China on substantive issues, such as investment protection, avoidance of double taxation, legal arbitration, IPR protection, joint efforts to combat cross-strait crime, and direct transportation links. Through negotiation of these substantive issues, Taiwan and China may slowly build confidence and gain each other's trust. In the third stage, Taiwan will seek to establish an interim framework for peace and stability to govern the activities between the two sides before a final settlement can be found. The pursuit and maintenance of peace should be the paramount guideline within this framework so as to ensure that neither side resorts to extreme means to change the status quo. In the fourth and final stage, the two sides will work out their political differences for a final settlement. Whatever form this takes, Taiwan should be able to maintain its self-rule without jeopardizing its democratic system. Taiwan does not exclude any form of political relationship with China, so long as Taiwan's democracy is recognized and the people agree to it.

October 18, 2004
MAC Chairperson Jaushieh Joseph Wu and newly-appointed Vice Chairman David Wei-Feng Huang jointly meet former Dutch Defense Minister Dr. Willem Frederik van Eekelen and his delegation, who are in Taiwan upon the invitation of the Institute for Taiwan Defense and Strategic Studies to attend the Symposium on Submarines and Taiwan's National Defense Security. During the meeting, the Mainland side is urged to use the basis of the 1992 meeting in Hong Kong to commence pragmatic negotiations with Taiwan as soon as possible on the issues that concern both sides of the Strait, to create a win-win situation for both sides of the Strait.

October 19, 2004
During his inspection tour of Taiwanese businesses at the Fuzhou Economic and Technical Development Zone, Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Director Chen Yunlin states that cross-Strait trade and economic exchanges are an important link between both sides of the Strait. We should further strengthen cross-Strait trade and economic cooperation, and create more favorable conditions for the development of the Taiwanese businessmen's investments in the motherland.

October 20, 2004
During an investigation tour at Fujian, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Jia Qinglin states that to improve their efforts targeted at Taiwan, they need to expand their campaign to attract investments and talents from among Taiwanese compatriots and overseas Chinese, and invigorate exchanges, as well as ensure the protection of the legal interests of Taiwanese compatriots.

October 22, 2004
Receiving US Representative Dan Burton, President Chen Shui-bian emphasizes that since his inauguration on May 21, 2000, the Taiwan side has extended at least thirty olive branches to the Mainland authorities. We should insist on pursuing of the normalization of cross-Strait relations. Both sides of the Strait should reopen the door to negotiations, and they must keep contact, and engage in dialogue and negotiations with each other, to minimize unnecessary misunderstandings and miscalculations. Only in this way will there be permanent peace on both sides of the Strait.

October 22, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) writes the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) expressing its profound concern over the serious casualties incurred due to the unfortunate coal mine explosion a few days ago at the Henan area. The SEF requests the ARATS to relay its sincerest sympathies to the injured victims and their family members.

October 25, 2004
In a meeting with US Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, Mainland President Hu Jintao points out that the separatist activities waged by the "Taiwanese independence" forces are the root cause of cross-Strait tension and the greatest threat that endangers peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

October 25, 2004
PRC Premier Wen Jiabao emphasizes in a meeting with US Secretary of State Colin L. Powell that they will fight for peaceful reunification using their utmost sincerity and greatest efforts. However, they will never allow Taiwan to be "separated" from the motherland. They will not compromise on issues that involve the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is hoped that the US side would keep its promises and abide by the three Sino-US communiques and take more actions that are beneficial to the situation across the Taiwan Strait.

October 25, 2004
Mainland Foreign Minister Li Zaoxing states during a meeting with US Secretary of State Colin L. Powell that the Taiwan issue has always been the greatest factor that has all along affected the stable development of Sino-US relations. The Taiwan Strait at present faces a severe situation, rooted in the gradual increase in the intensity by which Chen Shui-bian's administration has carried out their "Taiwanese independence" separatist activities. It is hoped that the US side would realistically fulfill its related promises and avoid violating the "one China policy" and the three Sino-US communiques. This is crucially important in preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the development of Sino-US relations.

October 26, 2004
The Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) writes the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) extending its sympathies to Taiwanese compatriots who were victims of Typhoon Nock-ten.

October 27, 2004
Mainland Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Zhang Mingqing points out in a question-and-answer session of its regular press briefing that it is feasible for the cross-Strait "Three-Links" to be patterned after the model of Taiwan-Hong Kong transportation links. The cross-Strait "Three-Links" are an economic affair, and absolutely not a matter between two countries. With regard to the chartered flights during the Chinese Lunar New Year Holidays for Taiwanese businessmen, as long as the negotiations for the cross-Strait routes are treated as domestic affairs, we can then adopt certain measures for talks between civilian entities, between the airline industries, or between business companies. He also states that except for very few elements that hold fast to their "Taiwanese independence" line of thinking, the Mainland welcomes the majority of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members to visit the Mainland.

October 28, 2004
Chief of the PLA General Staff Liang Guanglie, emphasizes during his meeting with US Secretary of State Colin L. Powell in Washington DC that the Taiwan issue is the most important and most sensitive core issue in Sino-US relations, and involves the core interests of China. The key to maintaining a smooth development of relations between the armed forces of both China and the US lies in the proper handling of the Taiwan issue. The separatist activities waged by the "Taiwanese independence" advocates are the root of the tension in cross-Strait relations and are the greatest threat to the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. It is hoped that the US side will realistically fulfill its related promises and avoid violating the "one China policy" and the three Sino-US communiques. This is crucially important in curbing the "Taiwanese independence" forces and in preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the development of Sino-US relations.

November 3, 2004
Upon the invitation of the General Chamber of Commerce of ROC, MAC Chairman Jaushieh Joseph Wu delivered a keynote speech pointing out that we did not intend to antagonize Mainland China; what we have been considering has been how to live in peace with them. Taiwan has always tried to create an environment of goodwill and reconciliation, and its goal has always been to pursue cross-strait peace, stability and development. The cross-strait policy after May 20 is "goodwill, active cooperation, and permanent peace."

November 8, 2004
Chinese President Hu Jintao states during his telephone conversation with US President George W. Bush that as long as both China and the US firmly grasp the right direction of the development of mutual relations from beginning to end, and abide by the principles stated in the three Sino-US communiques, China-US relations will experience healthy and stable progress. China has commended the US several times for reiterating its firm position on the "one China" policy, observance of the three Sino-US communiques, and opposition against Taiwanese independence.

November 8, 2004
Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, states during his meeting with the "Cross-strait Agricultural Exchange Delegation" led by Hsu Hsin-liang, that they shall continue to carry out the basic guidelines of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" as well as the present-stage development of cross-strait relations, and the Eight-point Proposal for pushing on the peaceful reunification of the motherland. They are willing to fight for peaceful reunification with their utmost sincerity and efforts, but they will never tolerate Taiwanese independence, and will never allow any individual to split Taiwan away from China by any means.

November 8, 2004
Chinese State Council Vice Premier Hui Liangyu states during his meeting with the "Cross-strait Agricultural Exchange Delegation" led by Hsu Hsin-liang, that the Taiwanese people are compatriots, and that they are concerned about the various developments of agriculture in Taiwan. However, they are firmly opposed against any form of activity advocating Taiwanese independence. They welcome Taiwanese compatriots proceeding to the motherland to expand their businesses, and are willing to further strengthen cross-strait agricultural exchanges and cooperation and listen to the views and recommendations of friends from the agricultural sector in Taiwan, as well as to jointly pursue development and prosperity on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit.

November 8, 2004
The Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Director Chen Yunlin states during his meeting with the "Cross-strait Agricultural Exchange Delegation" led by Hsu Hsin-liang that they have never sought to influence and intervene with cross-strait economic exchanges and cooperation by creating political divergence. The agricultural sectors on both sides of the Strait form a complementary relationship due to their respective strengths, and the prospects of cooperation are broad. They should reinforce exchanges and expand cooperation to jointly pursue development and create a win-win situation.

November 10, 2004
President Chen Shui-bian issues a ten-point directive at a high-level national security meeting, as follows:

1. The maintenance of stability and peaceful status quo across the Taiwan Strait has been an issue of concern to the international community, in which the United States plays an important role. Taiwan and the U.S. have long shared the universal values of democracy, freedom, and human rights. In the last half a century, the democratic and economic developments in Taiwan have become a shared asset-rather than liability-of the international society. We appreciate the U.S.' steadfast and consistent support for Taiwan pursuant to the Taiwan Relations Act and in accordance with the Six Assurances. In the future, Taiwan and the United States-as an alliance of shared-values and based on existing foundations-should continue to collaborate together to safeguard peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. We must have clear assessment of the current situation, and consolidate and fully utilize our resources, so as to seek the greatest welfare of our country. Therefore, we must explore the possibility and feasibility of establishing a Society of International Friends of Taiwan, in order to seek understanding and support from the international community.
2. We believe that the next two years will be a crucial and opportune time for the resumption of cross-strait dialogue and for the pursuit of long-term stability and peaceful development. Governments and leaders on both sides of the Strait should seize this opportunity and employ wisdom--to open a favorable "window of opportunity" for long-term development, and to seek security and prosperity of both our peoples. In spite of the absence of immediate response from the other side to our goodwill and sincere gestures--due to various factors-our determination and patience will not change. We would also like to re-emphasized that our policy for cross-strait development, laid out in my Inaugural Speech and my National Day Address, will not change during my presidency. Based on the two above-mentioned "will not change" assurances, our governmental agencies will actively formulate a "sunshine policy" for the resumption of dialogue, decreasing tension, and enhancing cooperation and development across the Strait.
3. We are fully cognizant of Beijing's stance on its insistence of the "One China" principle. However, we urge the other side to face the reality of the existence of the Republic of China, as well as the conviction of the 23 million people of Taiwan in democracy and in being the masters of our own land. If both sides can be understanding and magnanimous toward each other, differences and hostility can be resolved through peaceful dialogue and rational consultations. The meeting in Hong Kong in 1992 was conducted in such spirit.
4. Building upon the basis of the 1992 meeting in Hong Kong, our government will actively promote cross-strait trade and cultural exchanges, including the "Three Links." To open an opportunity for cross-strait direct transportation, we propose that at the current stage, both sides can use the Taiwan-Hong Kong commercial air route negotiations as a model, to immediately start consultation regarding the cargo chartered flights and lunar new year passenger chartered flights that are two-way, reciprocal, and do not have to stop in a third location.
5. To actualize the economic strategy of "deeply cultivating Taiwan while reaching out to the world," the Government will draw on the global operational experience of the private sector, both local and foreign, and formulate policy plans for state-owned enterprises to set up overseas operations or engage in global investment. In addition, the Government will also take proactive measures to attract foreign capital and talents so that foreign corporations would invest or set up branch offices in Taiwan--such measures will expedite the internationalization of local industries and help Taiwan respond effectively to globalization.
6. In order to reduce military tension across the Taiwan Strait and to promote military reform, efforts have been made to accelerate the process of transforming our forces into a small but high-quality professional armed forces, and strengthen our self-defense capabilities. In addition, the Ministry of National Defense has completed the plans to reduce compulsory military service term to 18 months, starting on July 1 next year. If the plans to recruit voluntary forces turned out well, we could further reduce the compulsory service term to 12 months and achieve a force reduction of 100,000 troops by the end of 2008.
7. For humanitarian reasons and in compliance with international norms, we believe that no weapons of mass destruction--such as nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons--should be used in the Taiwan Strait. Our government hereby offers its assurance that Taiwan will never develop such weapons of mass destruction. Meanwhile, we urge the People's Republic of China to openly renounce the development and use of weapons of mass destruction.
8. To prevent accidents that result from misjudgment, we propose that both sides work together to establish military buffer zones. Military aircrafts and ships of both sides should not enter these zones unless absolutely necessary and with advance notifications to the other side.
9. There are precedents of communication mechanisms between opposing sides of military standoffs--such as North and South Koreas, India and Pakistan. We propose that both sides draw experience from the 1972 Incidents at Sea Agreements between the United States and the USSR, and the 1998 Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) between the United States and the PRC, and establish a "Taiwan Strait consultation mechanism" for military security. Through this mechanism, the "Code of Conduct across the Taiwan Strait" can be developed successively.
10. Stability of the Taiwan Strait should be placed above the interests of each political party and individual. Cross-strait peace and development are the earnest hopes of the people of Taiwan. Only when Taiwan is domestically united and politically stable can we engender most favorable conditions for advancing cross-strait relations. After the legislative election at the end of this year, the administration will make every effort, with utmost sincerity, to invite opposition parties and representatives from various sectors of the society to participate in the establishment of a "Committee for Cross-strait Peace and Development". And we will not exclude the possibility of having a leader from the opposition parties to assume its chairmanship. By so doing, we hope to galvanize consensus among all political parties and all our people to jointly put together an enduring set of "Guidelines for Cross-strait Peace and Development," and actively foster a new cross-strait relationship of peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development.

November 12, 2004
The MAC releases a press release stating that it will refer to the model taken by and the experiences gained at the commercial air route negotiations between Taiwan and Hong Kong in 2002 in formulating the concrete details as soon as possible on the negotiations with Mainland China on the cargo chartered flights and the lunar new year chartered flights that are two-way, reciprocal, and that do not have to stop in a third location. After the Mainland's attitude becomes clear, we will immediately entrust the Taipei Airlines Association to render assistance on the bilateral negotiations on related matters, to enable the chartered flights for passenger and cargos to smoothly embark as soon as possible, and to open an opportunity for cross-strait direct transportation and for reciprocal and mutually beneficial exchanges.

November 12, 2004
Chinese President Hu Jintao points out during his address to the Brazilian Parliament on "Hand in Hand in Creating New Prospects in China-Latin American Friendship" that the Taiwan issue is an internal affair of China. The Chinese Government and the Chinese people have the confidence, the determination, the wisdom, and the capability to ultimately realize the complete reunification of the motherland. They shall be firm in the basic guidelines of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" and will fight for the peaceful solution to the Taiwan issue with their utmost sincerity and efforts. However, they shall not tolerate Taiwanese independence, and will never allow any individual to separate Taiwan away from China by any means. The solution of the Taiwan issue and the realization of the great mission of reunification of the motherland are the common desire of the 1.3 billion Chinese people and the entire Chinese nation. They thank the Latin American people for their long-term support for this issue, and hope that the Latin American people will continue to spare no effort in supporting the just undertaking of the Chinese people.

November 14, 2004
Mainland Chinese President Hu Jintao states during a meeting with the overseas Chinese community in Brazil that the 23 million Taiwanese compatriots are all brothers and sisters, and there is nobody who is more eager to seek peaceful means to solve the Taiwan issue than us. China is willing to fight for peaceful reunification with utmost sincerity and efforts, but at the same time is firm in opposing against Taiwanese independence. China will never allow any individual to separate Taiwan away by any means.

November 14, 2004
In response to President Chen Shui-bian's mention of the basis of the 1992 meeting in Hong Kong" to resume cross-strait dialogues, the Director of the Mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait states that insistence in the "one China" principle has been the consistent stance of motherland China. The problem to be solved by cross-strait negotiations is a domestic affair of China. Therefore, cross-strait negotiations must be conducted on the foundation of the "one China principle."

November 15, 2004
The Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Deputy Director Wang Zaixi states during an exclusive interview with Reuters that maintaining the national sovereignty and territorial integrity and the realization of the reunification of China constitute the core national interests of China, as well as the common will of the entire Chinese people. If the Taiwanese independence separatist forces vainly attempt to take advantage of the time during our nationwide efforts in developing our economy and preparing for the Olympics, to produce an incident that leads to Taiwanese independence and believe that we could only bear the bitter consequences, then they have gravely misjudged the circumstances. The Chinese Government and the Chinese people shall not tolerate Taiwanese independence and shall not allow any individual to separate Taiwan away from China by any means. They shall not spare any cost to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

November 17, 2004
The MAC releases a press release pointing out that the cross-strait chartered flights during the lunar new year are arrangements made based on humanitarian considerations to provide convenience to Taiwanese businessmen returning home for the lunar new year. In the course of the preparations for the unprecedented chartered flights during the lunar new year two years ago, China did not set any political preconditions. We hope that we will also operate on the same foundations this year, and simplify the procedures for the lunar new year chartered flights. It is hoped that both sides would commence negotiations as soon as possible to make the necessary preparations.

November 17, 2004
The Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Li Weiyi states at a regular press briefing that if Chen Shui-bian acknowledges the fact of the "one China" and abandon his "one country on each side" proposal, both the SEF and the ARATS shall resume dialogues and negotiations immediately and both sides can discuss any problem they want. Otherwise, if Chen Shui-bian distorts the essence of the "1992 meeting in Hong Kong" and refuses to acknowledge that Taiwan is a part of China, it is a violation against the expectations of the compatriots on both sides of the Strait. At the same time, cross-strait routes shall not be handled as affairs "between two countries."

November 18, 2004
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhang Qiyue states that the Chinese Government sternly demands the Vanuatu Government to strictly abide by the related principles stipulated in the communique signed on the establishment of diplomatic relations and to conscientiously fulfil its solemn promise to the Chinese Government and to the Chinese people with regard to the Taiwan issue.

November 19, 2004
Chinese President Hu Jintao points out during his meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the capital city of Santiago in Chile that the Taiwan issue involves China's core interest and must be carefully addressed. The feelings of the 1.3 billion Chinese people must not be harmed, and general cross-strait relations must not be destroyed. The sovereignty and the core interest of China must be respected; this is the general situation as well as a major principle.

November 20, 2004
Chinese President Hu Jintao points out at his meeting with US President George W. Bush during the APEC Chile meeting that the Taiwanese authorities are trying to use "constitutional reform" to legalize Taiwanese independence," and are trying to split Taiwan away from China. Maintaining national sovereignty and territorial integrity is China's core interest. The Chinese Government has consistenly insisted on the basic guidelines of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems," and is willing to fight for a peaceful solution to the Taiwan issue and realize the complete reunification of the motherland with its utmost efforts. However, they shall not tolerate Taiwanese independence, and shall not allow any individual to separate Taiwan away from China by any means. As long as the Taiwan authorities acknowledge the "1992 consensus" that reflects a firm position on the "one China Principle," cross-strait dialogue and negotiations shall be immediately resumed.

November 25, 2004
Premier Yu Shyi-kun states at an exclusive interview with Deutsche Welle (Voice of Germany) that the Republic of China is a sovereign and independent country, and does not belong to China. We have extended much goodwill to the Mainland and hope that we could resume dialogues on the foundation of parity, conduct exchanges on the basis of "peace and development" and "free will," and be able to create a benign atmosphere after engaging in communications. We will not exclude the possibility of establishing any form of mutually acceptable cross-strait relations, as long as there is the consent of the 23 million Taiwanese people.

November 25, 2004
Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing tells accompanying reporters that concerning the severity of the contemporary trend across the Taiwan Strait, Hu Jintao has repeatedly pointed out clearly during his trip to Latin America that Taiwanese independence will put an end to the tranquility across the Taiwan Strait. The Taiwan authorities are taking a risk in conducting separatist activities, which constitutes the greatest threat to the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and of the Asia-Pacific region. This has demonstrated the firm determination of the Chinese Government and people to preserve the territorial integrity of the country. Concerning the fact that the country's leaders have reiterated their firm stance in the "one China" policy and their opposition against Taiwanese independence, the great cause of the reunification of the motherland and the guidelines of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" have won greater support.

November 25, 2004
Chinese State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan points out during an inspection tour in Jiangsu and Jiangxi that concerning the work on Taiwan, they shall thoroughly implement the guiding of "placing hopes in the Taiwanese people", make close contact, reinforce exchanges, and expand cooperation with the Taiwanese compatriots, for the pursuit of mutual development. Every region must actively take initiative in conducting exchanges with Taiwan, develop the common interests of the compatriots on both sides of the Strait, as well as deepen and intensify the emotional ties between them. Every level of the administration must actively express concern for the Taiwanese compatriots that are engaged in trade and investment, fact-finding tour or studies, visit to relatives and friends, and other forms of exchanges activities in the motherland, and earnestly protect all the rightful interests and security of the Taiwanese compatriots in accordance with the law. We need to take the initiative in doing anything that is conducive to the Taiwanese compatriots, the reunification of the motherland, and the great revival of the Chinese race.

November 26, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation writes the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait concerning the murder case of Chang Jung-kun and other Taiwanese businessmen, seeking the assistance of the Association in coordinating with the agencies concerned as soon as possible in arresting the suspects, and in rendering assistance to the family members who have gone to the Mainland to handle the funeral matters.

November 28, 2004
The Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office Executive Deputy Director Li Bingcai reiterates while attending a Cross-strait Floriculture Fair at Zhangzhou, Fujian, that they shall continue to encourage and support the investment of Taiwanese compatriots in motherland China and to develop cross-strait economic cooperation. As in the past, they shall continue to render assistance to Taiwanese compatriots in solving the problems and difficulties encountered in the course of their investments in the Mainland and in enforcing the Taiwanese Compatriots Investment Protection Law and its enforcement rules. They shall protect the rightful interests of Taiwanese compatriots in accordance with the law under any circumstances.

November 28, 2004
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao sums up the new developments on cooperation with ASEAN countries at the Eighth Conference of ASEAN-China Leaders, which includes a declaration of the Chairman of the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Informal Meeting on the Taiwan issue, reiterating that they will continue to abide by the "one China" policy, which has reflected the ASEAN's sincerity in supporting the peaceful reunification of China.

December 1, 2004
Receiving Utah Governor Olene Walkerthe, President Chen Shui-bian states that the top mission of his second term is to stabilize both sides of the Strait, to pursue permanent peaceful development on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and to complete normalization of cross-strait relations. The Taiwan Government hopes to immediately reopen the door to cross-strait negotiations on the foundation of the 1992 meeting in Hong Kong.

December 1, 2004
China's Taiwan Affairs Office Deputy Director Wang Zaixi points out in Macao that they will never allow any individual to separate Taiwan away from China by any means and that Taiwanese independence will never be tolerated. They will continue to insist on the basic guidelines of the "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems," in the present-stage development of cross-strait relations. In the Eight-point Proposal that pushes ahead with the peaceful reunification of the Motherland, to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with their utmost sincerity and greatest efforts. He also urges that certain political conflicts be shelved and that cross-strait dialogues and negotiations be resumed on the foundation of the "one China" principle. As long as the Taiwanese authorities recognize the "1992 Consensus" that reflects a persistence in the "one China" principle, cross-strait dialogues and negotiations will resume immediately and any issue can be discussed. This position has never changed.

December 2, 2004
The Straits Exchange Foundation writes the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait: "According to news reports, there was a coal mine explosion in the areas of Shaanxi and Guizhou a few days ago, which caused serious injuries and casualties. The SEF expresses its profound concern over the incident and sincere sympathies to the victims and their family members."

December 3, 2004
China's Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo, in a meeting with US State Secretary Colin Powell in Washington, points out that preserving the national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the core interest of China and demands that the US to genuinely keep all its promises to China and refrain from providing any assistance that will give a loose rein to the Taiwanese independence forces, especially to stop selling modernized weapons to Taiwan. The US states that it understands the sensitivity of the Taiwan issue and reiterates that the US will abide to the "one China" policy and the three Sino-US communiques, and oppose Taiwanese independence, and any statement and action that unilaterally changes the status quo in Taiwan.

December 4, 2004
MAC Chairman Jaushieh Joseph Wu presents a proposal on Academic Confidence Building Mechanism (ACBM) at the Third Forum on Taiwan-Japan Exchanges. The concrete steps in the Academic Confidence Building Mechanism include the following:

1. Both governments appoint on each side an outstanding scholar of law and politics or international relations to station on a long-term basis on the other side. After notifying the other side through the existing channels, the appointed scholars shall engage in an in-depth investigation and study, as well as write a report which could be confidentially transmitted back to serve as a reference to each government's administration.
2. After a standard period of time, for example two or three years, each government may appoint another scholar in place of the previous one, after notifying the other government of the replacement.
3. The scholars appointed by each government may, upon authorization, act as a bridge for the exchange of information between both governments.
4. The scholars appointed by each government shall be recognized by the government on the other side, and whose conduct of research and interviews and public engagement in academic activities shall be protected. They shall also enjoy as well certain privileges of diplomatic personnel.
5. The scholars appointed by each government shall be allowed to bring along some doctoral students for joint conduct of research.
6. Both governments shall mutually inform each other of major international conferences through these scholars. An invitation shall be extended to the other side for participation in public forums.
7. Upon the appointment of these scholars, the academic circles of each side shall immediately avail of this channel to restrain from engaging in any public commentaries that may cause embarrassment to the other side or contain strong feelings of hostility.

December 7, 2004
Attending a ceremony in commemoration of Wen Shiren at Huangyangchuan, Gulang County, in Gansu, China's Taiwan Affairs Office Director Chen Yunlin states that the authorities the Taiwanese society today are deliberately creating ethnic conflicts, by further misleading and instigating the Taiwanese people to view the motherland China as an enemy. They have forgotten their roots and their attempt to split the country shall never succeed.

December 7, 2004
He Shizhong, the Director of the Economic Bureau under China's Taiwan Affairs Office, states that as long as the cross-strait "three links" and the Lunar New Year charter flights are dealt with as internal affairs, everything will be easy to handle.

December 8, 2004
The MAC issues a press release officially allowing news reporters of Mainland Chinese news agency, the China News Service, to station in Taiwan to cover news events.

December 8, 2004
MAC Chairman Jaushieh Joseph Wu states in response to questions raised by reporters at the International Media Press Briefing that the Lunar New Year chartered flights could serve as a very good starting point for the resumption of cross-strait negotiations, as well as a window of opportunity for improving cross-strait relations. The previous statements of the Chinese authorities on the Lunar New Year chartered flights had not been consistent, which shows that China has not yet made any final decision on the matter. However, it has not yet closed the door either, and therefore "there is still a chance for the Lunar New Year chartered flights to be realized." Chairman Wu emphasized that the Government has already relaxed previous restrictions on the Lunar New Year charter flights proposal last year. Now the Government has also agreed on the principles that the flights can be "two-way, reciprocal, and do not need to stop in a third location." Taiwan's constitutional reform would neither touch on sovereignty issues nor change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. On the contrary, China has repeatedly engaged in diplomatic oppression of Taiwan and made several attempts to disrupt the balance between the military strengths of both sides, belittling the status of Taiwan through its so-called "one China" principle. This is unilaterally changing the status quo.

December 8, 2004
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and the leaders of the European Community hold their seventh meeting at Hague. The joint declaration at the end of the meeting contains the following: the European Community reiterates its implementation of the "one China" policy and hopes that the Taiwan issue will be peacefully solved through constructive dialogues. The Chinese side praises the European Community for adhering to its "one China" policy and reiterates its principles and position on the Taiwan issue.

December 13, 2004
In a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov, Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Guo Boxiong states that the current situation across the Strait is very complicated. The facts show that the separatist activities waged by "Taiwanese independence" forces are the greatest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. He also emphasizes that if there is any individual attempting to separate Taiwan away from China and to create disturbance, the People's Liberation Army will never sit idle. This is our consistent and unchanging principle and position.

December 15, 2004
China's Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Li Weiyi states at a regular press briefing that the key to the development of cross-strait relations lies in the position to be taken by the Taiwanese authorities. If they return to the "one China" principle and abandon their Taiwanese independence statements and activities then both sides should be able to move toward a prosperous, peaceful, and stable development. We have always advocated for the completion of a comprehensive, direct, and two-way "three links" as soon as possible, to benefit our compatriots on both sides of the Strait. We oppose any individual attempting to split the country by any means, and the statements and actions of Taiwanese independence advocates attempting to separate Taiwan away from China. We welcome any individual and organization from Taiwan to visit the Mainland to conduct sufficient exchange of views on the development of cross-strait relations, on the promotion of the development of cross-strait relations, and on the facilitation of the peaceful reunification of the motherland. This has been our consistent policy.

December 17, 2004
The MAC issues a press release stating the following:

1. With regard to the Lunar New Year chartered flights for Taiwanese businessmen, China is urged to respond to Taiwan's proposal as soon as possible, and to engage in negotiations with Taiwan on the Lunar New Year chartered flights that are "two-way, reciprocal, and do not have to stop in a third location." We are willing to adopt the model implemented for the 2003 Lunar New Year chartered flights, in which Taiwanese airline companies will be responsible for implementing the charter flights this year.
2. President Chen Shui-bian mentioned on the eve of the 2004 legislative election that a Committee for Cross-strait Peace and Development would be convened after the election. This declaration will not change due to the result of the election. Therefore, he has directed all government agencies involved to make preparations for the formation of the Committee.
3. Based on information gathered from various sources, China has started the legislation of its National Reunification Law, which is a part of its "three warfares" (including legal warfare, psychological warfare, and media warfare). We seriously urge the Chinese authorities to think twice and not to repeatedly miscalculate the firm conviction of the Taiwanese people's love for peace and their opposition against military threat, for the sake of long-term development in cross-strait relations and regional peace and development.

December 17, 2004
The Standing Committee of China's 10th National People's Congress (NPC) convenes the 26th meeting of senior officials, where the Committee's Legislative work Commission Director Hu Kangsheng presents a report on the draft of the Anti-Separation Law. The first deliberation on the bill is expected to be conducted at the 13th session of the Standing Committee of the 10th NPC.

December 17, 2004
In a press briefing to explain the enactment of a draft bill on the Anti-Separation Law, Sha Zukang, the head of the PRC delegation to the European headquarters of the United Nations, convenes a press briefing to state that the objective of the aforementioned Law was to maintain the basic policies of peaceful reunification and "one country, two systems." To protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to oppose any independence forces advocating separatism in Taiwan. He also points out that the Taiwanese independence forces are the greatest obstacles in the way of the cross-strait relations development, and pose the greatest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the Asia-Pacific region.

December 18, 2004
Former Taiwan Affairs Office Deputy Director Tang Shubei states during a press interview that the decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress to review and deliberate on the draft of the Anti-Separation Law is entirely in keeping with the times. He further states that it is China's internal affair as to how it would like to solve the Taiwan issue. There is still no way of knowing the concrete details of the Law. Nevertheless, its basic spirit is to preserve national unity and territorial integrity, and that the greatest efforts shall be exerted to achieve peaceful reunification. However, the split of Taiwan away from China by any individual shall never be tolerated. It is thus imperative right now to institutionalize the established guidelines and policies.

December 20, 2004
With regard to Hu Jintao's vigorous propaganda on "one country, two systems" in Macao, Executive Yuan Spokesperson Chen Chi-mai states that Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country, and should not be mentioned in the same breath as Hong Kong and Macao. After more than a decade of democratization and liberalization, it is simply impossible for the Taiwanese people to accept China's unilateral arrangement of "one country, two systems."

December 20, 2004
An article published in the Globe magazine (monthly) affiliated with China's Xinhua News Agency points out that after careful consideration and argumentation from all sides, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress has judiciously decided to activate the Anti-Separation Law, a strategic action that is consistent with the will of the people and a severe warning to the elements of Taiwanese independence. To preserve national reunification, the Law will provide a legal basis and will serve as an effective weapon to counter these elements.

December 21, 2004
Answering questions from reporters at a regular press briefing, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Jianchao points out that preserving the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the Asia Pacific region is consistent with the joint interests of China and the international community. The activation of the legislative process by the National People's Congress on the Anti-Separation Law is to contain the separatist activities of the Taiwanese independence forces, which should be favorable to the preservation of peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and in the Asia-Pacific region. The Chinese Government firmly insists on the basic guidelines of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" and is willing and determined to fight for the prospect of the peaceful solution of the Taiwan issue with its utmost sincerity and greatest efforts. However, we shall never tolerate Taiwanese independence and allow any force to split Taiwan away from China by any excuse or by any means. We are willing to exert our unremitting efforts together with all the nations in preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the Asia-Pacific region. Moreover, any military contact by the US with the Taiwan authorities by any excuse or by any means violates the principles stipulated in the three Sino-US communiques and fosters the growth of separatist activities of Taiwanese independence forces, which will damage the peace and stability in the Taiwan area and Sino-US relations. We urge the US to keep its promises to China and stop all military contact with Taiwan and the sale of military weapons to Taiwan, to prevent harming the common interests of both China and the US.

December 27, 2004
Addressing a gathering of the Eleventh Research on the Chinese Financial System, MAC Chairman Jaushieh Joseph Wu states that with regard to cross-strait trade and economy, it has become a normal phenomenon for Taiwanese businessmen to engage in investments in the Mainland. The sustained expansion of cross-strait trading is also a long-term trend, and the Government's promotion of cross-strait "direct transportation links" and the "Mini-Three-Links" have become established policies. It actively promotes the policies on Freight Facilitation and the chartered flights for passengers and cargo during the transition period. In cross-strait financial exchanges, the agencies involved should also continue to evaluate cross-strait financial exchange policies, including the expansion of the functions and the scope of Overseas Banking Units (OBU) and the pilot implementation of the exchange of the mainland-issued renminbi currency in Taiwan, which are currently being assessed and planned.

December 27, 2004
MAC Chairman Jaushieh Joseph Wu reiterates at a tea party with foreign news reporters that in order to minimize misunderstandings across the Strait, the Government's policy and goal of establishing mutual trust through normalized interaction has never changed. This has been actively promoted by the Taiwan Government. In the spring of next year, the Government will form a Committee for Cross-strait Peace and Development to consolidate the people's consensus on cross-strait issues and to actively pursue opportunities for establishing a Framework of Interaction for Cross-strait Peace and Stability. This is to effectively manage cross-strait relations and to prevent any conflict before both sides can reach a final resolution. We are willing to conduct dialogues and negotiations with China on any issues, including political issues, to reduce cross-strait tension. However, China has declared its intention to enact an Anti-Separation Law that is targeted at Taiwan. For Taiwan, this is unilaterally changing the cross-strait status quo and is a serious provocation. It has therefore made an urgent appeal to the international community to immediately prevent China from proceeding with this action.

December 27, 2004
With regard to China's release of its 2004 White Paper on National Defense, Executive Yuan Spokesperson Chen Chi-mai urges both sides of the Strait to jointly establish a military confidence-building mechanism, to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

December 27, 2004
The Information Office of China's State Council releases its 2004 White Paper on National Defense, which mentions that it is the sacred responsibility of China's armed forces to put an end to the Taiwanese independence forces' separation of the country. The Chinese Government continues to adhere to the guiding principles of the "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" and the present-stage development of cross-strait relations, and the Eight-point Proposal that pushes ahead with the peacful reunification of the motherland. As long as the Taiwanese authorities accept the "one China" principle and stop all separatist activities waged by Taiwanese independence forces, both sides of the Strait can officially end hostilities and commence negotiations on matters including the establishment of a military confidence-building mechanism. The Chinese people are firmly against any form of separatist activity of Taiwanese independence forces, as well as against any form of foreign intervention. They are also firmly against the sale of military weapons to Taiwan by any country and the conduct of any form of military alliance with Taiwan. They shall never allow any individual to split Taiwan away from China by any means. If the Taiwanese authorities make any reckless move and dare to create any major incident leading to Taiwanese independence, the Chinese people and the armed forces shall not spare any cost in thoroughly crushing any separatist attempts by the Taiwanese independence forces.

December 28, 2004
The MAC issues a press release urging China to address the promotion of the Lunar New Year chartered flights as soon as possible, and to resume negotiations with Taiwan, to enable Taiwanese businessmen to smoothly arrange their schedules for returning to their hometowns during the Lunar New Year holidays.

December 28, 2004
Xinhuanet publishes a commentary entitled, "Understanding that Achieving the Complete Unification of the Motherland is the Party's Sacred Mission," pointing out that the Taiwan issue can be addressed from three aspects. First, the Taiwan issue is a remnant of the Chinese civil war, and is purely an internal affair of China. The PRC was established on October 1, 1949, and some military and political personnel of the Kuomintang forces withdrew to Taiwan after being defeated in the war. Under the support of the US Government, they set up a separatist regime in Taiwan by thej force of arms. Second, this is an issue where the Mainland Chinese Government and people shall fight to maintain national sovereignty and territorial integrity, maintain the Chinese people's dignity, and oppose foreign intervention. Third, the Taiwan issue is by nature a struggle between separatism and anti-separatism, a battle between Taiwanese independence and anti-Taiwanese independence.

December 29, 2004
Chairman Wu Bangguo of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC) points out at the closing of the 13th session of the 10th NPC Standing Committee that it is one of the three major historical responsibilities of the Party and the country to solve the Taiwan issue and to complete the mission of the reunification of the motherland. For a long time, it has not given up any effort in developing cross-strait relations and in promoting the peaceful reunification of the motherland with its utmost sincerity. It is absolutely imperative to enact an Anti-Separation Law to oppose and suppress the Taiwanese independence forces from splitting the country, to push ahead with the peaceful reunification of the motherland, to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, to preserve national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to safeguard the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation. Adhering to the "one China" principle solving the Taiwan issue is an unshakable foundation; while "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" serve as the basic guideline.

December 31, 2004
Chinese President Hu Jintao points out in his new year's congratulatory message that China will continue to adhere to the guiding principles of the "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" and the present-stage of development in the cross-strait relations, to push on the Eight-point Proposal that promotes the peaceful reunification of the motherland, to encourage cross-strait personnel, economic, and cultural exchanges, and to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with its utmost sincerity and greatest efforts. It will also strive to resume cross-strait dialogue and negotiations on the foundation of the "one China" principle. However, it will never allow any individual to split Taiwan away from China by any means. It also repeatedly urges the entire Chinese nation, including the Taiwanese compatriots, to be united, to oppose and suppress the Taiwanese independence separatist forces and their activities, and to jointly work for the accomplishment of the great mission of the motherland's reunification as soon as possible.