Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) yesterday called for a peace agreement with Taiwan, but insisted that independence would never be tolerated.
"We would like to make a solemn appeal," Hu said at the opening of the Chinese Communist Party's five-yearly Congress.
"On the basis of the one-China principle, let us discuss a formal end to the state of hostility between the two sides, reach a peace agreement, construct a framework for peaceful development of cross-strait relations and thus usher in a new phase of peaceful development," he said.
His speech did not carry direct references to using force in bringing about Taiwan's unification with China, as China has done in the past. Hu did warn that Taiwan's "independence forces" were seriously jeopardizing cross-strait relations, in an apparent reference to President Chen Shui-bian's (
"China's sovereignty and territorial integrity brook no division, and any matter in this regard must be decided by the entire Chinese people, including our Taiwan compatriots," he said. "China will never allow anyone to separate Taiwan from the motherland in any name or by any means."
Hu's latest remarks should not be interpreted as a major shift in China's policy, said Kou Chien-wen (
"This is not the first time Hu has called for a cross-strait peace mechanism and like before he has based it on the acceptance of the `one China' principle," Kou said. "But Taiwan's ruling party has refused to accept the `one China' policy and insists that there are two countries involved, China and Taiwan."
"Hu did not repeat the war-like rhetoric, but his mention of the `one China' principle shows that he is not renouncing the use of force," Kou said.
During his speech, Hu also appeared to reach out to those in Taiwan who oppose Chen, promising policies beneficial to Taiwan and which would protect the huge investments in China by Taiwanese enterprises.
He also called for a resumption of direct trade, travel and mail links between the two sides.
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