KARACHI: The following is the text of a statement by the Taiwan Work Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council as released by the Chinese Consulate-General in Karachi on Thursday. The statement concerns “Chen Shui-bien’s Decision on Ceasing the Function of ‘National Unification Council’ and Ceasing the Application of the National Unification Guidelines’”.

On Feb 27, Taiwan’s Chen Shui-bien, in total disregard of the strong opposition of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits and condemnation from the international community, brazenly decided to cease the function of the “National Unification Council” (NUC) and cease the application of the “National Unification Guidelines”. Though he did not use the word “abolish”, which he long planned to use, and used the word “cease” instead, he was merely playing on words in order to mislead the people of Taiwan and international public opinion.

Everyone knows what Chen Shui-bien schemes for is “Taiwan independence”. He claims that his decision does not “involve changing the status quo”. But it is crystal clear that his real purpose is to step up his “Taiwan independence” activities through ceasing the function of the National Unification Council and ceasing the application of the Guidelines.

He accuses the mainland of posing a threat to Taiwan. But it is he who is bent on undermining peace in the Taiwan Straits and creating tension in cross-Straits relations. He sanctimoniously talks about “establishing an interactive and effective mechanism of exchange based on negotiation and dialogue”. But it is he who has overturned the basis for cross-Straits talks and closed the door to negotiations between the two sides.

He says what he does is to “respect the free will to choose by Taiwan People”. But in reality he is trying to impose “Taiwan independence” plotted by a few individuals for selfish interests on the 23 million Taiwan people, which will be a nightmarish experience for them. By putting on this farce, he will find himself lifting a rock only to drop it on his own feet.

It must be pointed out that Chen Shui-bien is becoming increasingly adventurous and reckless in pushing for “de jure Taiwan independence” through “constitutional reengineering”. Once he succeeds, it will inevitably cause serious tension in cross-Straits relations and pose a grave threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and the Asia-Pacific region. Resolutely opposing and stopping Chen Shui-bien’s activities aimed at “de jure Taiwan independence” through “constitutional reengineering” is the most important and pressing task facing us.

Our fight against “Taiwan independence” secessionist elements headed by Chen Shui-bien is a fierce struggle on safeguarding or jeopardizing peace in the Taiwan Straits, developing or destroying cross-Straits relations, and maintaining or undermining the fundamental interests of compatriots on both sides of the Straits.

Chen Shui-bien’s obstinate attempt to pursue a radical policy for “Taiwan independence” and provoke full confrontation both in Taiwan and across the Taiwan Straits will only bring disaster to Taiwan. “Taiwan independence”, which runs counter to the general trend of China’s history and its present trend of development and the aspiration of the 1.3 billion Chinese people, is doomed to failure.

It is the shared responsibility of all Chinese, both at home and abroad, including our Taiwan compatriots, to realize peaceful reunification of the two sides of the Taiwan Straits and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

We are committed to achieving this goal. Taiwan compatriots are our brothers and sisters. No matter what happens, we will put ourselves in their position, give full consideration to their need and do our utmost to protect their legitimate rights and interests.

We will further promote people-to-people contact and economic and cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Straits and facilitate progress in establishing “three direct links” between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits.

We will continue to exert our utmost to work with Taiwan compatriots with every sincerity to uphold and promote the peaceful and stable development of cross-Straits relations and achieve peaceful reunification. We remain firmly opposed to “Taiwan independence” and will never allow the secessionist elements for “Taiwan independence” to split Taiwan from China under any name or by any means.