Third, never change the principle of placing hope on the Taiwan people.

    The Taiwan compatriots are our flesh-and-blood brothers, as well as an importance force in developing cross-Straits relations and checking the "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities. The more the "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces want to isolate the Taiwan compatriots from us, the more closely we have to unite with them. Under whatever circumstances, we shall always respect, trust and rely on the Taiwan compatriots, land ourselves in their position to think of their difficulties, and do everything we can to look after and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.

    The marketing of Taiwan's farm produce in the mainland is an issue that involves the fundamental interests of the broad masses of the Taiwan farmers, and therefore must be addressed in a down-to-earth manner. If the cross-Straits direct passenger charter flights can be conducted on all festivals and holidays, they can also gradually develop into a regular practice. On the issue of cross-Straits direct cargo charter flights, non-governmental trade organizations of both sides could also exchange views.

    We will further adopt, step by step, policies and measures to resolve problems which the Taiwan compatriots are concerned about, and to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the Taiwan compatriots. Anything beneficial to the Taiwan compatriots and conducive to the promotion of cross-Straits exchanges, to the maintenance of peace in the Taiwan Straits region and to the motherland's peaceful reunification, we will do it with our utmost efforts and will do it well. This is our solemn commitment to the broad masses of the Taiwan compatriots.

    Fourth, never compromise in opposing the "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities.

    Safeguarding state sovereignty and territorial integrity is where a country's core interest lies. On no account shall the 1.3 billion Chinese people allow anyone to undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will not have the slightest hesitation, falter or concession on the major principle issue of opposing secession. The "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces must abandon their secessionist stand and stop all "Taiwan independence" activities.

    We hope the leader of the Taiwan authorities could earnestly fulfill the "five no's" commitment he reaffirmed on Feb. 24, as well as his commitment of not seeking "legalization of Taiwan independence" through the "Constitutional reform", and show to the world, through his own concrete action, that this was not an empty word or mere lip service which can be forsaken at will.

    China belongs to the 1.3 billion Chinese people including the 23 million Taiwan compatriots, so do the mainland and Taiwan Island. Any issue involving China's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be decided collectively by the entire 1.3 billion Chinese people.

    We believe that the broad masses of the Taiwan compatriots will definitely join us to resolutely safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity and resolutely safeguard the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation.

    (Editor's note: The "five no's" commitment refers to the promise once made by the leader of the Taiwan authorities not to do five things in his office tenure. The five things, including declaring "Taiwan independence", changing the official name of the Taiwan region and promoting a so-called "referendum" on "independence or reunification", are all outrageous secessionist activities totally unacceptable to the entire Chinese people.) Enditem