Overseas Chinese all over the world on Monday expressed firm support for a statement issued late Sunday night by the Taiwan Work Office of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on current relations across the Taiwan Straits.

At a seminar held by French Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China (FCPPRC), participants said they uncompromisingly back the analysis by the Chinese government of the current situation across the Taiwan Straits and the principle to solve the Taiwan issue.

The seven points contained in the statement on improving cross-Straits relations have shown the fundamental stance and great patience of the Chinese government on solving the Taiwan issue, they said.

In a declaration issued Monday, the German Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China said the current cross-Straits relations has come to a crucial point, and the Chinese government's statement has clearly demonstrated the way that the Taiwan leaders should choose for the future of the island.

The statement also showed the Chinese government's strong will to protect the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity as well as national unification.

The council called on Chen Shui-bian to give up all the "independence" activities and develop the cross-Straits relations on the basis of acknowledging that both the mainland and Taiwan belong to the one and same China.

The Australian Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China and Oceanian Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China also issued a statement, saying they stick to the stance of one China and will not allow the "Taiwan independence" conspiracy to succeed.

The Thai Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China and Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Thailand jointly held a seminar to express their support for the Chinese government statement.

Four years ago, Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian pledged himself to the "four no's policy;" his track record since, however, has been one of broken promises and bad faith, pushing the cross-Straits relations to the brink of danger, said the participants.

Those attempting to split China are playing with fire and will ultimately meet their destruction, they stressed.

Meanwhile, the Chinese communities in Africa, central and southern America also issued statements, urging Chen Shui-bian and his followers to abandon the stance of "Taiwan independence," and return to the one-China principle, which is the only way for Taiwan's stability and prosperity.

(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2004)