The Standing Committee of the Fifth National
People's Congress at its Fifth Plenary Session on December
26, 1978 adopted after discussion a message to compatriots
in Taiwan. Following is the full text of the message.
-Ed.
Dear Compatriots in
Taiwan:
Today is New Year's Day 1979. We
hereby extend our cordial and sincere greetings to you on
behalf of the people of all nationalities on the mainland of
our motherland.
As an old saying goes,
"When festival times come round people think all the
more of their loved ones." On this happy occasion as we
celebrate New Year's Day, our thoughts turn all the more to
our kith and kin, our old folks, our brothers and sisters,
in Taiwan. We know you have the motherland and your kinsfolk
on the mainland in mind too. This mutual feeling of many
years standing grows with each passing day. From the day
when Taiwan was unfortunately separated from the motherland
in 1949, we have not been able to communicate with or visit
each other, our motherland has not been able to achieve
reunification, relatives have been unable to get together,
and our nation, country and people have suffered greatly as
a result. All Chinese compatriots and people of Chinese
descent throughout the world look forward to an early end to
this regrettable state of affairs.
The
Chinese nation is a great nation. It accounts for almost a
quarter of the world's population and has a long history and
brilliant culture, and its outstanding contributions to
world civilization and human progress are universally
recognized. Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China
since ancient times. The Chinese nation has great vitality
and cohesion. Throughout its history, foreign invasions and
internal strife have failed to split our nation permanently.
Taiwan's separation from the motherland for nearly 30 years
has been artificial and against our national interests and
aspirations, and this state of affairs must not be allowed
to continue. Every Chinese, in Taiwan or on the mainland,
has a compelling responsibility for the survival, growth and
prosperity of the Chinese nation. The important task of
reunifying our motherland, on which hinges the future of the
whole nation, now lies before us all; it is an issue no one
can evade or should try to. If we do not quickly set about
ending this disunity so that our motherland is reunified at
an early date, how can we answer our ancestors and explain
to our descendants? This sentiment is shared by all. Who
among the descendants of the Yellow Emperor wishes to go
down in history as a traitor?
Radical
changes have taken place in China's status in the world over
the past 30 years. Our country's international prestige is
rising constantly and its international role becomes ever
more important. The people and governments of almost all
countries place tremendous hopes on us in the struggle
against hegemonism and in safeguarding peace and stability
in Asia and the world as a whole. Every Chinese is proud to
see the growing strength and prosperity of our motherland.
If we can end the present disunity and join forces soon,
there will be no end to our contributions to the future of
mankind. Early reunification of our motherland is not only
the common desire of all the people of china, including our
compatriots in Taiwan, but the common wish of all
peace-loving peoples and countries the world
over.
Reunification of China today is
consonant with popular sentiment and the general trend of
development. The world in general recognizes only one China,
with the Government of the People's Republic of China as its
sole legal Government. The recent conclusion of the
China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship and the
normalization of relations between China and the United
States show still more clearly that no one can stop this
trend. The present situation in the motherland, one of
stability and unity, is better than ever. The people of all
nationalities on the mainland are working hard with one will
for the great goal of the four modernizations. It is our
fervent hope that Taiwan returns to the embrace of the
motherland at an early date so that we can work together for
the great cause of national development. Our state leaders
have firmly declared that they will take present realities
into account in accomplishing the great cause of reunifying
the motherland and respect the status quo on Taiwan and the
opinions of people in all walks of life there and adopt
reasonable policies and measures in settling the question of
reunification so as not to cause the people of Taiwan any
losses. On the other hand, people in all walks of life in
Taiwan have expressed their yearning for their homeland and
old friends, stated their desire "to identify
themselves with and rejoin their kinsmen," and raised
diverse proposals which are expressions of their earnest
hope for an early return to the embrace of the motherland.
As all conditions now are favourable for reunification and
everything is set, no one should go against the will of the
nation and against the trend of
history.
We place hopes on the 17
million people on Taiwan and also the Taiwan authorities.
The Taiwan authorities have always taken a firm stand of one
China and have been opposed to an independent Taiwan. We
have this stand in common and it is the basis for our
co-operation. Our position has always been that all patriots
belong to one family. The responsibility for reunifying the
motherland rests with each of us. We hope the Taiwan
authorities will treasure national interests and make
valuable contributions to the reunification of the
motherland.
The Chinese Government has
ordered the People's Liberation Army to stop the bombardment
of Jinmen(Quemoy) and other islands as from today. A state
of military confrontation between the two sides still exists
along the Taiwan Straits. This can only breed man-made
tension. We hold that first of all this military
confrontation should be ended through discussion between the
Government of the People's Republic of China and the Taiwan
authorities so as to create the necessary prerequisites and
a secure environment for the two sides to make contacts and
exchanges in whatever area.
The
prolonged separation has led to inadequate mutual
understanding between the compatriots on the mainland and on
Taiwan and various inconveniences for both sides. Since
overseas Chinese residing in faraway foreign lands can
return for visits and tours and hold reunions with their
families, why can't compatriots living so near, on the
mainland and on Taiwan, visit each other freely? We hold
that there is no reason for such barriers to remain. We hope
that at an early date transportation and postal services
between both sides will be established to make it easier for
compatriots of both sides to have direct contact, write to
each other, visit relatives and friends, exchange tours and
visits and carry out academic, cultural, sports and
technological interchanges.
Economically
speaking, Taiwan and the mainland of the motherland were
originally one entity. Unfortunately, economic ties have
been suspended for many years. Construction is going ahead
vigorously on the motherland and it is our wish that Taiwan
also grows economically more prosperous. There is every
reason for us to develop trade between us, each making up
what the other lacks, and carry out economic exchanges. This
is mutually required and will benefit both parties without
doing any harm to either.
Dear
compatriots in Taiwan,
The bright future
of our great motherland belongs to us and to you. The
reunification of the motherland is the sacred mission
history has handed to our generation. Times are moving ahead
and the situation is developing. The earlier we fulfil this
mission, the sooner we can jointly write an unprecedented,
brilliant page in the history for our country, catch up with
advance powers and work together with them for world peace,
prosperity and progress. Let us join hands and work together
for this glorious goal!
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