A senior Chinese mainland official in charge of Taiwan affairs Wednesday urged leaders of the Taiwan authorities to recognize the "One China" principle as soon as possible to fundamentally stabilize cross-Straits relations.

Wang Zaixi, deputy director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the call during an ongoing forum on Chinese culture and cross-Straits relations which opened Tuesday in Xiamen, a coastal city in east China's Fujian Province.

Speaking to journalists from the mainland and Taiwan, Wang said the mainland has taken an attitude of "wait and see" after the Taiwan leader assumed office in May last year, and has made it clear that no dialogue and negotiation would be held with the Taiwan authorities until the latter recognizes the "One China" principle and returns to the consensus the two sides reached in 1992.

Though the Taiwan authorities has not taken the step, the mainland did not allow it to affect trade and other exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, as they are in line with the interests of the people on both sides, the official said.

He noted that visits of Taiwan compatriots to the mainland hit a record 2.85 million arrivals in 2000, while trade between the two sides amounted to US$30.5 billion. Cross-straits exchanges in science and technology, culture, sports and other fields are also in full swing.

Wang pointed out that because of the restrictions imposed by Taiwan authorities, cross-Straits exchanges are not yet direct and sometimes can only go in one-way.

If direct "three links" in trade, transport and communications could be made possible in the future, cross-Straits relations and exchanges will increase further, said the official.

When asked of Taiwan's recent arms purchase and missile tests, Wang said the key for Taiwan to attain safety and stability is to recognize and not to challenge the principle of "One China."

If a consensus could be reached on the "One China" principle, the cross-Straits situation will be stabilized fundamentally, otherwise, it will be impossible no matter how many advanced weapons Taiwan buys. In fact, he said, the huge spending by the Taiwan authorities on arms purchase and its missile tests could only lead to the escalation of the cross-Straits tensions.

On whether the mainland has contacts with Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party, Wang said: "We are willing to hold dialogue and exchanges with any parties, groups and individuals from Taiwan provided they are against Taiwan independence and support the 'Once China' principle."

"Anyone and any person from Taiwan, including the "legislators," are welcome to visit the mainland at any time, so far as they are willing to develop cross-Straits relations and to seek consensus on the principle of "One China," Wang said.

(People’s Daily 06/28/2001)