TNAG-1291-FCO40-1643-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Macau-1985 — Page 16

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FE/7541/A1/3

Zhao Calls on Chinese Americans to Assist Reunification

(a) Xinhua in Chinese 0817 gmt 13 Jan 84

Text of report:

16 Jan 84

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At a San Francisco meeting with representatives of overseas Chinese and Chinese nationals on the west coast of the United States this afternoon [12th January], Premier Zhao Ziyang pointed out that China's reunification and revitalization was the common aspiration of the whole Chinese nation, including the people in Taiwan and those living abroad. He called on the Chinese nationals residing in the United States to make still greater contributions to the reunification of the motherland.

Shortly after Premier Zhao's arrival in San Francisco after winding up his visit in Washington, over 300 representatives of the west coast Chinese communities heard his speech on China's reunification at the Fairmount Hotel where Premier Zhao is staying. After mentioning the hardships the overseas Chinese in the United States had endured in crossing the vast ocean over a century ago as well as their tremendous contributions to the development and construction of the United States, Zhao Ziyang said that he wanted to take the opportunity to discuss China's reunification, an issue the people in San Francisco and Los Angeles and from Taiwan and Hongkong were highly interested in.

Zhao Ziyang said: "For many years, people have always taken note of the differ- ences between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. But a matter of fact, there are also common points between the two parties. Is it not an important point common to the two sides that they both believe there is only one China? Moreover, China's peaceful reunification has come to be the common language for both the KMT and the Communist Party. We truly and wholeheartedly hope our motherland can be peacefully reunified." "To achieve a peaceful reunification, there must be an appropriate way to do so. This is why we have proposed that talks (Chinese: hui tan 2585 6151) be held between the KMT and the Communist Party for a third round of co-operation so that they can join in a common effort to accomplish the great cause of national reunification, thus making contributions to the Chinese nation. The starting point of our policy is to respect history and reality, and take full account of the wishes of the people of various nationalities in Taiwan and the interests of the Taiwan authorities. It will not be a case of the Mainland swallowing up Taiwan, or vice versa.”

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He said: "For this reason, we propose that, after our motherland has been re- unified, Taiwan and the Mainland shall both be part of the People's Republic of China and that Taiwan can become a special administrative region (Chinese: te bie xing zheng qu 3676 0446 5887 2398 0575). This means that Taiwan shall be fully independent to manage its own affairs and enjoy some exclusive powers that other provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions do not enjoy. Taiwan can practise a system different from that on the Mainland. It can have an indpendent judiciary, and there is no need to ask Peking for final judgment. Taiwan can also keep its own armed forces. The Mainland will send no representatives to Taiwan, neither troops nor administrative personnel. The Party, government and military apparatus in Taiwan will all be under the control of Taiwan itself. After reunification, there will be enduring co-operation, long- term coexistence, and mutual supervision between the CCP and the KMT. Members of the Taiwan authorities and public figures of various circles are also welcome to hold leading posts in political organizations at the national level and discuss state affairs together with us.

Zhao Ziyang said: "Economically, as a special administrative region Taiwan may have its own independent financial budget. The Mainland will not collect any tax from or impose any levies of money on Taiwan. Taiwan may also maintain and develop its trade relations as well as exchanges and co-operation with foreign countries in the economic, technological and cultural fields. The combined economies and technologies of Taiwan and the Mainland, plus the rich resources and huge market on the Mainland, will enhance the prosperity of both sides of the Strait, and the living standards of the people in Taiwan will improve even more rapidly.”

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