Zhu reiterates 'one China' principle, hopes for early Taiwan reunification

BEIJING (AFX-ASIA) - Prime Minister Zhu Rongji reiterated the 'one China' principle in regard to Taiwanrenunification, which he hoped will come about early. "An early settlement of the Taiwan issue and the accomplishment of national reunification are the shared aspirations of the entire Chinese nation and an enormous task we are now facing," Zhu told the National People's Congress. China will continue to follow the basic principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" and the eight-point proposal put forward by President Jiang Zemin, Zhu said in a Xinhua news agency report. "We will, together with the vast majority of our compatriots in Taiwan, resolutely put a stop to any separatist attempt and do its utmost to achieve peaceful reunification," he said. Zhu pledged to adhere to the 'one China' principle, to continue to push for cross-Straits dialogue and negotiations on that basis, and promote economic, cultural and personnel exchanges between thetwo sides. "We are confident that with the unremitting efforts of all Chinese people, the great cause of national reunification will surely be accomplished at an early date," he said. "As we enter the new century, we willcontinue to adhere to the principle of "one country, two systems" and the basic laws of Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

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