According to the HK Takungpao, Peng Guangqian, major general at the PLA Academy of Military Sciences and an expert on Taiwan question, made comments on the recent defense white paper saying that it applies more ink to the Taiwan part than ever before and contains fresh ideas.

Peng Guangqian said that first, it gave grimmer judgment of the situation across the Taiwan Straits than before. The Paper says the "Taiwan Independence" activities "escalated markedly", "rose viciously" and the "Taiwan independence" forces have increasingly become the "biggest immediate threat". These have never been mentioned before. It indicates that the Taiwan authorities under Chen Shui-bian have gone farther and farther down the "Taiwan independence" path. Chen Shui-bian's "Taiwan independence" separatist activities are becoming increasingly aggressive and public. "Taiwan independence" is accelerating its pace.

Second, the Paper elaborates on the new characteristic of the "Taiwan independence" separatist activities. The so-called new characteristic is that they attempt to effect "Taiwan independence" through the formulation of a so-called "new constitution for Taiwan". They are still waiting for the opportune moment to engineer a major "Taiwan independence" incident through the so-called "constitutional reform". This is the characteristic of the "Taiwan independence" activities by the authorities under Chen Shui-bian in recent years. The Paper shows that although the "de-sinification" pace of "Taiwan independence" should also be carefully watched "Taiwan's de jure independence" is a pointer most worth attention for now and in the near future.

Third, it gave clear definition to so-called status quo. The Paper made it very clear that the status quo of the cross-straits relations is that both sides of the Straits belong to one and the same China, a status quo not defined by other countries such as the United States, nor by the Taiwan leaders. Should the Taiwan authorities go so far as to attempt to challenge the "one China" principle it would be a move at changing the status quo across the straits, which the mainland would never allow.

Fourth, the Paper clearly points out the serious consequences of the "Taiwan independence" separatist activities. The "Taiwan independence" activities not only challenge and threaten China's sovereignty and territorial integrity but also jeopardize peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region as a whole. This includes the peaceful development environment of China's neighboring countries. They also challenges the strategic interests of countries including the United States, particularly the US' strategic interests in the Asia-Pacific region. This is not consistent with the US' interests. The "Taiwan independence" activities are of no good to the development and secure environment of countries and regions including the United States, Japan and China's Taiwan itself. It is a serious challenge to all.

Fifth, it expatiates on the establishment of a confidence-building mechanism in the military field. The Taiwan authorities have, in recent time, also addressed the confidence-building mechanism in the military field. For example, the white paper of the Taiwan military gives much space to so-called short-term, mid-term and long-term measures on confidence-building mechanism in the military field as well as the one peace principle. What it fails to mention is the one China principle and the prospect of reunification of the two sides. Therefore for the mainland such kind of discussion is without foundation. There is no peace without reunification. Peace must not lead to splitting. The ultimate goal of peace is to realize the reunification of the two shores. The proposition of the peace principle by the Taiwan authorities is a sheer deception. The Paper points out clearly that the discussion of establishing a confidence-building mechanism in the military field is possible only if it is based on the foundation of the one China principle. Failing this there would be no peace.

Sixth, the Paper further reiterates, from the stand of the armed forces, the determination and principle to resolutely and thoroughly crush "Taiwan independence" attempt at any cost. This is a very solemn declaration.

By People's Daily Online