Leaders: China will never allow Taiwan independence
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-04-14 14:24

The splitting activities by the "Taiwan independence" forces constitute the biggest threat to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits, said Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing Wednesday.

President Hu Jintao holds talks with US VP Dick Cheney in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse April 14, 2004. [newsphoto]

"We hope that the United States could observe its commitment to adhere to the one-China policy, earnestly follow the three Sino-US joint communiques, oppose 'Taiwan independence' and any wording oration by the Taiwan leaders attempting to change Taiwan's status quo, and not to send wrong signals to the Taiwan authorities," Hu told visiting US Vice President Dick Cheney.

Hu said the Chinese government adheres to "peaceful reunification, and one China, two systems," and is committed to the peaceful solution of the Taiwan issue, but China will not allow "Taiwan independence".

Cheney said that the US government will continue to adhere to the one-China policy, which was based on the three joint communiques between the U.S. and China, not support "Taiwan Independence" and oppose any unilateral action to change the status quo of the Taiwan Straits.

Chairman of Central Military Commission Jiang Zemin (R) holds talks with US Vice President Dick Cheney April 14, 2004. [Reuters]

Jiang Zemin, chairman of the Central Military Commission, said China is willing to exert the utmost sincerity and the utmost efforts to realize peaceful reunification, but does not allow anybody to separate Taiwan from the motherland in any form.

"The Taiwan issue concerns the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China, and is related to Sino-US relations and peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region as well," he told Cheney. He hopes that the U.S. could adhere to its commitment on the Taiwan issue, and not to send wrong signals to the "Taiwan Independence" forces.

"Sino-US ties will have more room for development if the Taiwan issue is well handled," he said.

Jiang noted that he had met with US President George W. Bush several times, and reached consensus on developing bilateral constructive and cooperative relationship.

He said the overall development of Sino-US ties is good. The two countries are continuously making progress in coordination and cooperation in many sectors and exchanges between the two armies are increasing despite of some differences existing between the two countries, he added.

Cheney gave a positive appraisal for US-China relations, saying that the two countries have cooperated well over the past years in all fields, and the US government will continue to adhere to the one-China policy, not support "Taiwan Independence", and oppose any unilateral action to change the status quo of the Taiwan Straits.

Premier Wen Jiabao grets U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney in Beijing April 14, 2004. [Reuters]

He said that US-China ties are very important and the US side will strive to push forward the relations continuously.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues of common concern.

Premier Wen Jiabao also met with Cheney on Wednesday. Wen recalled his visit to the United States four months ago, calling it a fruitful visit.

He said Cheney will be able to witness China's development in China's biggest business hub Shanghai as Cheney is scheduled to visit the city during this China tour.

Cheney, who arrived in Beijing Tuesday afternoon on a three-day working visit to China as guest of Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong, said he still remembers Wen's visit.

He said his first visit to China was in 1975 and it will be his first visit to Shanghai during this China tour, noting that China has taken on a new look.

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