Statement on the Taiwan Issue

by

The National Committee of Three-Self Patriotic Movement

of the Protestant Churches in China

and

The China Christian Council

June 11th, 2001

Since ancient times, Taiwan has been a territory in which God has graciously endowed all China’s nationalities in their quest for peaceful and meaningful lives. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. We are grateful for and cherish this gift bestowed by God.

Evidence which supports Taiwan’s being an integral part of China includes archeological findings, share cultural backgrounds on both sides of the Straits, Taiwan-relate historical archives and international law.

Japan forcibly occupied Taiwan for fifty years [1895-1945] following the war of aggression against China [1894-95]. The December 1943 Cairo Declaration issued by the Chinese, United States and British governments stipulated that Japan return to China by the territories it had stolen from the Chinese, including Northeast China, Taiwan and the Penghu Archipelago. The 1945 Potsdam Declaration signed by China, the United States and Britain [later endorsed by the Soviet Union] stipulated “The terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out. ” In August the same year, in its instrument of surrender to the Allied Forces, Japan promised it would faithfully fulfill the obligations laid down in the Potsdam Declaration. On October 25, 1945 the Chinese government regained sovereignty over the areas of Taiwan and the Penghu Archipelago.

Historically Taiwan has never been a separate country. There is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of it. The government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government the whole country. The “One China” principle is universally accepted by the world community today. The United Nations, as well as more than 160 countries which have established diplomatic relations with China, continue to abide by this principle and pledge that their relationship with Taiwan will be handled within the framework of the “One China” principle.

In the 1972 Sino-US Shanghai Joint Communiqué, the 1978 Sino-US Joint Communiqué on Establishing Bilateral Diplomatic Relations and the Communiqué of August 17 1982,the United States agreed that the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is a part of China. During his 1998 visit to China, President Taiwan: No Taiwan independence; No “Two China” policy or “One China, One Taiwan;” and No Taiwan membership in any organizations where statehood is required.

“Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ’No, NO’; anything more than this comes from the evil one ” (Matthew 5:37). Respecting facts is the Jeast any honest human person should do; conversely, twisting facts is a profanity to the testimony God gave to people through history. We strongly oppose words and actions that in any way seek to divide china. We strongly oppose any propaganda and action supporting “Taiwan independence,” the creation of “Two Chinas” and “One China and One Taiwan.” We support all efforts to peacefully reunite the two sides of the Taiwan Straits and pray reunification will come soon.

The Taiwan issue is an internal Chinese matter and must be resolved by the Chinese people ourselves. We oppose any kind of involvement and interference by foreign forces.

We staunchly believe the reunification of the motherland is the common wish of the Chinese people. We hereby admonish any and all groups or individuals seeking to separate our motherland and conspiring to create “Two Chinas ” or “One China, One Taiwan.” They must not attempt to turn back the clock and think they can ever slow the peaceful process of reunification of the motherland. If they insist on their own way, they will be condemned by history and by our nation.

We call upon Chinese church friends abroad to respect historical facts and the feelings of Chinese Christians and the Chinese people: support the Chinese people’s endeavors to peacefully reunite our motherland.

We witnessed with great joy the peaceful return of Hong Kong and Macao based on the principle of “One country, Two systems.” These peaceful transitions testify to fact that different political systems and ways of life can co-exist within the same country. We sincerely hope that peaceful reunification can soon take place between the two sides of the Taiwan straits following the model of “One country. Two systems.”

How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)