China’s 1979 Taiwan Peaceful Reunification Call | Generated by AI
Certainly! Here’s an introductory overview of 《告台湾同胞书》 (Message to Compatriots in Taiwan) in English:
Introduction to Message to Compatriots in Taiwan (《告台湾同胞书》)
Background: The Message to Compatriots in Taiwan was a landmark document issued by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on January 1, 1979. It marked a significant shift in China’s policy toward Taiwan, following the normalization of Sino-U.S. relations in 1978 and the severing of official diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Taiwan.
Key Points:
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Peaceful Reunification Proposal: The document called for an end to the military confrontation across the Taiwan Strait and proposed peaceful reunification under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle. This was the first time the PRC explicitly offered peaceful talks as the preferred path to resolve cross-strait issues.
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“Three Links” and “Four Exchanges”: It advocated for the restoration of direct postal, transportation, and trade links (the “Three Links”) and encouraged exchanges in culture, economics, science, and technology (the “Four Exchanges”).
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End to Artillery Bombardment: The PRC announced the cessation of artillery bombardment against Taiwan’s offshore islands (e.g., Kinmen and Matsu), which had been ongoing since the 1950s, as a gesture of goodwill.
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Appeal to Taiwanese Compatriots: The message emphasized shared history, culture, and kinship between people on both sides of the Strait, urging Taiwanese to support reunification and oppose foreign interference.
Significance:
- The document laid the foundation for future cross-strait dialogue and cooperation.
- It reflected China’s strategic shift from military confrontation to peaceful engagement with Taiwan.
- It set the stage for later policies, such as Deng Xiaoping’s “One Country, Two Systems” framework, which was formally applied to Hong Kong and Macau.
Legacy: While the political status of Taiwan remains unresolved, the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan is regarded as a pivotal moment in cross-strait relations, symbolizing China’s commitment to peaceful reunification.