BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- People's Daily will carry an editorial on Monday entitled: "Trying to Build up the Peaceful and Stable Development of Cross-Straits Relations."

    Eleven years ago, the then Chinese President Jiang Zemin made an important address on promoting the great cause of national reunification, proposing eight points for the settlement of the Taiwan issue, says the editorial.

    The proposal, which takes one-China as the guiding principle and encourage peaceful reunification and cross-Straits economic and cultural exchanges, has become a guideline for the Chinese government in dealing with the Taiwan issue, according to the editorial.¡¡

    Eleven years on from that address, the Chinese people have witnessed a boom in the economic, cultural and personal exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits by insisting on the basic principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" and the eight points proposed by Jiang.¡¡

    Meanwhile, they have put up a resolute struggle against the separatist activities promoting "Taiwan independence" in an effort to safeguard the full sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

    "In the new century and in a new phase of the relations, the eight-point proposal will continue its guiding role and will be more influential on the settlement of the Taiwan issue," says the editorial.

    The editorial goes on, "However, we must remain sober as some significant and complex changes have taken place regarding the Taiwan situation in recent years despite closer economic, cultural and personal ties between the two sides.    

    "The pro-independence separatist activities in Taiwan have severely sabotaged the development of peaceful cross-Straits relations and become the biggest obstacle and most serious threat to the relationship between the two sides."¡¡

    To deal with the changes to the Taiwan situation, Chinese President Hu Jintao made an important speech on the matter, and the work of the central government on the Taiwan issue, on March 4,2005, outlining four new points regarding cross-Straits relations.    

    Specifically, the four points strictly adhere to the one-China principle, never diminish efforts to seek peaceful reunification, never change the principle of offering hopes to the Taiwan people, and never compromise in the struggle against "Taiwan independence¡± secessionist activities.¡¡

    The four points offer new suggestions and illustrate the Chinese government's understanding of the significant and serious problems affecting cross-Straits relations.

    "Carrying on the basic principles concerning the Taiwan issue, the four points have brought new ideas to the government's guidelines on how to deal with the issue. They will be of great significance to the peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and the reunification cause," says the editorial.¡¡

    "In the past year, the Chinese government has taken a series of great measures to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and to promote the development of cross-Straits relations."

    China's National People's Congress approved the anti-secession law in March 2005, which, according to the editorial, is regarded as one of the greatest efforts ever made by the Chinese people to realize peaceful reunification and to consolidate their firm position of never tolerating the independence of Taiwan.¡¡

    At the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, delegations of Taiwan-based Kuomintang party and New Party visited the Chinese mainland in succession in 2005, giving great impetus to the peaceful and stable development of cross-Straits relations.¡¡

    The editorial says that after those significant visits, the Communist Party of China (CPC) and government initiated a series of policies and measures that have benefited the Taiwan people and promoted exchanges.

    "All those measures have won the Chinese government wide support from people of both sides and high praise on the international stage," says the editorial.

    "Thanks to the efforts of people from both sides, positive factors in curbing elements of "Taiwan independence" are increasing and the cross-Straits relationship is following a stronger trend to peace and stability.

    "However, the pro-independence separatist forces in Taiwan have not stopped their separatist activities and the roots for the tense relations of the Taiwan Straits have not been eliminated.

    "Taking a firm position in fighting against and curbing the separatist forces to safeguard the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits remains the most pressing mission of the cross-Straits people."

    The editorial says that the Chinese people of both sides of the Taiwan Straits are confident in the prospects of national reunification.

    People in the Chinese mainland will get united with their compatriots in Taiwan to further promote exchanges between the two sides and expand the parameters of their economic cooperation and exchanges.

    "The CPC and government will continue dialogue with all parties, groups and people in all circles of Taiwan that oppose the independence of Taiwan, recognize the "1992 Consensus" and support the improvement of the cross-Straits relationship, while promoting the dialogues and negotiations between two sides based on the one-China principle," says the editorial.¡¡

    In conclusion, the editorial calls on people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to work together and build up the peaceful and stable development of cross-Straits relations; to take a firm position in safeguarding the full sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country; to maintain the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation and to strive for the great cause of national reunification and rejuvenation. Enditem