China on Wednesday insisted Taiwan must accept that it is a part of China before direct trade links between the island and the mainland can be realized.
In a response to a recent move by Taiwan towards boosting economic links with the mainland, the official Xinhua news agency said Taiwan must first accept the "one China" principle under which Beijing defines Taiwan as an inseparable part of China.
"Our principle for promoting the 'three links' is one China, direct, two-way and mutually beneficial. This will not change," Xinhua said in an editorial.
"If Taiwan thinks it can just talk about the economic issues and avoid the One China principle and the 1992 consensus, this is not realistic and will not succeed. ... The one-china principle is unshakable and the 1992 consensus cannot be avoided."
Taiwan on Sunday took a major step towards boosting links with the mainland as a panel of experts, politicians and businesspeople recommended a series of measures easing existing curbs on economic exchanges.
The steps, which Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has guaranteed to implement, include scrapping a 50-million-dollar cap on individual Taiwanese investment projects and pushing for broader postal and shipping links.
The package of proposals represents a break with a more cautious investment policy which Taiwan introduced in 1996 in response to fears its economy could become hostage to China if serious tensions were to break out.
China reiterated in the Xinhua editorial that Taiwanese officials should return to a consensus reached between the two sides in 1992 which acknowledged there was only one China. The consensus resulted in historic talks between the two sides.
The three mini links -- which involves trade, postal links and some passenger ship service -- was opened between two Taiwanese outlying islands and two port cities in southern China's Fujian province earlier this year.
China has urged Taiwan to expand the links, but has said it must first accept the One China principle.
"The development of economic and trade relations across the (Taiwan) strait depends on an environment of a good and stable relations," Xinhua said. "To admit the One China principle and the 1992 consensus is the basis of such kind of environment."
Taiwan separated from China in 1949 at the end of a civil war between the Nationalists and Communists. China has threatened to invade the island if it formally declares independence or delays reunification indefinitely.
Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian, who comes from a pro-independence background, has refused to embrace the One China principle since being elected last year -- BEIJING (AFP)
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