The Significant Change of Taiwan Policy of the CCP

??From late 1970s to early 1980s, the international situation underwent profound changes. Peace and development gradually became the theme of the times, and the Sino-US. Relations were normalized, hence creating new favorable conditions to put forward and set up the policy of settling the Taiwan question peacefully.


??In December 1978,the third plenum of the 11th Central Committee of the CCP decided to shift the focus of work of the party and the country to economic construction. At the same time, Chinese people across the Straits, compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao and overseas Chinese ardently expected that Chinese people on both sides of the Straits would join hands in cooperation to rejuvenate the motherland. In such a background, the leading collective of the second generation with Deng Xiaoping as the core proceeding from the consideration of the basic interests of the nation, set the fundamental policy of peaceful reunification on the basis of related ideas of Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai.


??The communiqué of the 3er plenum of the 11th central Committee of the Communist Party of China first used the expression ?Taiwan returns to the embrace of the motherland so as to realize the great cause of reunification? to substitute the term ?liberating Taiwan?.


??Soon after the plenum ended on January 1,1979,the Standing Committee of the National People?s Congress (NPC) issued ?A Message to Taiwan Compatriots?, announcing the fundamental policy on Taiwan. The following are some major points:
(1) When trying to settle the Taiwan question, the reality in Taiwan must be taken into consideration. The status quo in Taiwan and the views of people of all walks of life must be respected and reasonable policies and measures should be adopted in order not to bring about sufferings and losses to people in Taiwan.

(2) Confirming the Taiwan authorities? consistent ant independence stance of one China, hopes should be pinned on the 17 million Taiwan people and the Taiwan authorities as well. This is the common stand of both sides and the basis of cooperation.

(3) The state of military confrontation between the two sides should be put to an end first by way of consultation and discussion between the government of the People?s Republic of China and the Taiwan authorities.

(4) Direct transportation and mail links between the two sides should be established as soon as possible and trade and economic exchange should be promoted in redder to supply each other?s needs. Later summarized as three direct links)

???A Message to Taiwan Compatriots? was the manifesto of the Taiwan policy by the CCP and the Chinese government in the new period, announcing the significant change of the policy towards Taiwan. Den Xiaoping once said, ?The release of ?Amessage to Taiwan Compatriots? indicated our attitude is sincere, fair and reasonable.?