On January 28, 2000, a forum was held in Beijing to mark the fifth anniversary of the eight-point proposal made by President Jiang Zemin on China's reunification. Vice Premier Qian Qichen made a speech at the forum. The key points of the speech are as follows:


I. The eight-point proposal is the guiding document and principle for resolving the question of Taiwan at the present stage.


The return of Macao to the motherland, following that of Hong Kong in 1997, is one great and firm step closer to the reunification of the motherland.


President Jiang's reunification statement is the guiding document and principle for resolving the Taiwan issue at the present stage.


II. "Taiwan Independence" will only mean a war between the two sides of the Straits


Over the past decade, the Chinese Government has had to put up heated and repeated struggles against Taiwan's separatist force led by Lee Teng-hui. Lee has told the world his ultimate goal to split the motherland by advertising the "two-state" theory.


China's anti-separatist campaign has won widespread support around the world. There is no country in the world that supports or chimes in with Lee's "two-state" remarks. Lee has failed to overturn the "one China" principle, but instead, has turned himself a "trouble-maker" for the international community.


"Taiwan independence" absolutely will not mean peace but a war between the two sides of the Taiwan straits, and compatriots both in Taiwan and the mainland must make concerted efforts to fight against it.


The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese Government will never make compromise on safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Separatists in Taiwan must not "play with fire."


III. The basic principle of "peaceful reunification, and one country, two systems" and the eight-point proposal will be carried out.


To realize peaceful reunification, both sides of the Taiwan Straits must adhere to the one China principle and seek ways to solve the differences between them through equal consultations.


The mainland side will continue to carry out the basic principle of "peaceful reunification, and one country, two systems" and the eight-point proposal put forward by President Jiang Zemin for an early reunification of the motherland.


Policies dealing with the Taiwan issue will be more flexible than those for Hong Kong and Macao to fully meet the aspirations and demands of compatriots in Taiwan. The Taiwan compatriots will finally come to believe that reunification under the "one country, two systems" principle is the best way to safeguard their interests.


IV. Working for the establishment of three direct links


The mainland will continue to promote economic and cultural exchanges, and work for the establishment of direct links in trade, transportation and postal services between the two sides of the straits.


No matter what happens, the legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan investors will be protected in the mainland.


The mainland is willing to see Taiwan join the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a separate customs territory following the mainland's entry.


V. About the Cross-strait talks


Cross-strait talks under the "one China" principle are a must to seek ways for the peaceful reunification. Topics of the talks can be the "three direct links", economic relations after the WTO entry of the two sides, the international space for economic, cultural and social activities of Taiwan that suits it, and the political status of the Taiwan authorities.


VI. The question of Taiwan is an internal affair of China.


The question of Taiwan is an internal affair of China, and all foreign countries should respect the feeling and will of the Chinese people including Taiwan compatriots.


China firmly opposes any foreign force to sell advanced weapons to Taiwan, or sell or transfer to Taiwan technologies related to the so-call theater missile defense system. China also strongly opposes the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act of the US Congress.