(published on The New Anatolian,Sep.10-11,2005)

A. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Victory of the World War against Fascism and China's Resistance War against Japanese aggression. As one of the most prominent consequences, China resumed exercising its sovereignty over Taiwan after the great victory.

Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times. Chinese government of different periods set up administrative bodies exercising jurisdiction over Taiwan. In 1894, Japan launched a war of aggression against China. In the ensuing year, as a result of defeat, the Qing government was forced to sign the Treaty of Shimonoseki, ceding Taiwan to Japan. In 1937 the Chinese people threw themselves into an all-out war of resistance against Japanese aggression. In its declaration of war against Japan, the Chinese government proclaimed the abrogation of all unequal treaties concluded with Japan. On 1 December, 1943, China, the United States and Great Britain issued the Cairo Declaration, stating: "It is the purpose of the three great Allies that Japan shall be stripped of all the islands in the Pacific which she has seized or occupied since the beginning of the First World War in 1914, and that all the territories Japan has stolen from the Chinese, such as Manchuria, Formosa (Taiwan) and the Pescadores (Penghu), shall be restored to China." On 26 July, 1945, China, the United States and Great Britain signed the Potsdam Proclamation (subsequently adhered to by the Soviet Union), reiterating: "The terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out." On August 15, 1945, Japan declared its surrender and unconditionally accepted the Potsdam Proclamation and the Cairo Declaration, and returned Taiwan to China. Thereupon, Taiwan was again incorporated into the territory of China and was put back under the jurisdiction of Chinese sovereignty.

B. How came the Taiwan issue? In a word, it became an issue only as an aftermath of the ensuing Chinese civil war started by Kuomintang (Nationalist Party), and also because of intervention by foreign forces.

After victory of the war of resistance against Japanese aggression, the Kuomintang forces flouted the people's fervent aspirations for peace and launched an all-out anti-popular civil war. The Chinese people were compelled to respond with a people's liberation war and finally overthrew the government of the "Republic of China" in Nanjing. The People's Republic of China was proclaimed on 1 October, 1949 in Beijing and the government of the new People's Republic became the sole legal government of China. A group of military and political officials of the Kuomintang forces took refuge in Taiwan and, with the support of the then U.S. administration, created the division between the two sides of the Straits. Taiwan and the mainland of China have been in a state of temporary division, but this has not changed the fact that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.

C. Over the past 50 years, the Chinese people have worked hard for the peaceful reunification of the country. The Chinese government has, since 1979, adopted the policy of peaceful reunification and gradually evolved the scientific concept of "one country, two systems." The key points of this basic principle and the relevant policies are as follows:

(1) Only one China. There is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and the seat of China's central government is in Beijing. This is a universally recognized fact as well as the premise for a peaceful settlement of the Taiwan question.

The Chinese Government is firmly against any words or deeds designed to split China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It opposes "two Chinas", "one China, one Taiwan", "one country, two governments" or any attempt or act that could lead to "independence of Taiwan". The Chinese people on both sides of the Straits all believe that there is only one China and espouse national reunification. Taiwan's status as an inalienable part of China has been determined and cannot be changed. "Self- determination" for Taiwan is out of the question.

On January 30, 1995, Chinese President Jiang Zemin put forward eight propositions on the development of relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits and the promotion of peaceful reunification of China, explicitly pointing out: "Adhering to the One-China Principle is the basis and prerequisite for peaceful reunification."

(2) Coexistence of two systems. On the premise of one China, socialism on the mainland and capitalism on Taiwan can coexist and develop side by side for a long time without one swallowing up the other. This concept has largely taken account of the actual situation in Taiwan and practical interests of our compatriots there. It will be a unique feature and important innovation in the state system of a reunified China.

After reunification, Taiwan's current socio-economic system, its way of life as well as economic and cultural ties with foreign countries can remain unchanged. Private property, including houses and land, as well as business ownership, legal inheritance and overseas Chinese and foreign investments on the island will all be protected by law.

(3) A high degree of autonomy. After reunification, Taiwan will become a special administrative region. It will be distinguished from the other provinces or regions of China by its high degree of autonomy. It will have its own administrative and legislative powers, an independent judiciary and the right of adjudication on the island. It will run its own party, political, military, economic and financial affairs. It may conclude commercial and cultural agreements with foreign countries and enjoy certain rights in foreign affairs. It may keep its military forces and the mainland will not dispatch troops or administrative personnel to the island. On the other hand, representatives of the government of the special administrative region and those from different circles of Taiwan may be appointed to senior posts in the central government and participate in the running of national affairs.

(4) Peace negotiations. It is the common aspiration of the entire Chinese people to achieve reunification of the country by peaceful means through contacts and negotiations. People on both sides of the Straits are all Chinese. It would be a great tragedy for all if China's territorial integrity and sovereignty were to be split and its people were to be drawn into a fratricide. Peaceful reunification will greatly enhance the cohesion of the Chinese nation. It will facilitate Taiwan's socio-economic stability and development and promote the resurgence and prosperity of China as a whole.

In order to put an end to hostility and achieve peaceful reunification, the two sides should enter into contacts and negotiations at the earliest possible date. On the premise of one China, both sides can discuss any subject, including the modality of negotiations, the question of what parties, groups and personalities may participate as well as any other matters of concern to the Taiwan side. So long as the two sides sit down and talk, they will always be able to find a mutually acceptable solution.

Taking into account the prevailing situation on both sides of the Straits, the Chinese government has proposed that pending reunification the two sides should, according to the principle of mutual respect, complementarity and mutual benefit, actively promote economic cooperation and other exchanges. Direct trade, postal, air and shipping services and two-way visits should be started in order to pave the way for the peaceful reunification of the country.

Peaceful reunification is a set policy of the Chinese government. However, any sovereign state is entitled to use any means it deems necessary to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Chinese Government is under no obligation to undertake any commitment to any foreign power or people intending to split China as to what means it might use to handle its own domestic affairs.

D. There is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. This is the common understanding of the Chinese at home and abroad and is recognized by the vast majority of countries in the United Nations and the world. Turkish government recognizes that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing all China, upholds one-China policy, and supports China in its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Chinese government highly appreciates the Turkish policy on the Taiwan issue.