The Hindu : International : One-China norm must for talks: Hu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 13, 2005

International

International

One-China norm must for talks: Hu

P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE: Chinese President Hu Jintao has laid down a singular norm for holding talks with any political leader in Taiwan.

Mr. Hu told Taiwan's People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong in Beijing on Thursday that China was willing to talk to anyone and any political party in the non-sovereign territory of Taiwan on the basis of one paramount condition - the acceptance of one-China principle and the related 1992 consensus.

The development of relations across the Taiwan Straits and the promotion of national reunification would be discussed with such Taiwanese leaders and parties, regardless of their past political track record, if only they would adhere to the one-China principle. Mr. Soong said the notion of Taiwan independence, which could only bring about war and disaster, had never been a political option on the PFP's agenda.

Mr. Hu expressed confidence that the PFP could then become a "bridge of communication among the people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits." Mr. Soon's visit is a sequel to the journey of peace by the Chairman of Kuomintang, Lien Chan.

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