Anyone who acts against the people's wishes for peaceful relations across the Taiwan Strait is bound to meet failure, Premier Wen Jiabao said in Beijing yesterday.
"Everyone wants cross-strait relations to be peaceful and stable and develop to the mutual benefit of both sides," said Premier Wen in his government work report, delivered to the annual session of the National People's Congress.
"Anyone who tries to reverse this major trend will most certainly fail."
Relations between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, estranged because of a civil war in the late 1940s, showed some signs of improvement last year thanks to the efforts of people on both sides.
The independence-leaning Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian, however, announced on February 27 a decision to abolish the "National Unification Council" and its guidelines, which was viewed as a dangerous move toward "Taiwan independence" and a grave threat to peace across the strait.
The mainland will uphold the one-China principle and never give up its efforts to achieve peaceful reunification, Wen said.
As such, the mainland will oppose secessionist activities aimed at "Taiwan independence," he said.
"We will continue working with Taiwan compatriots to facilitate visits by individuals, promote economic, scientific, technological and cultural exchanges and cooperation, and establish peaceful and stable cross-strait relations," Wen said.
He said the mainland will strive to resume dialogue between the two sides and promote the resumption of the "three links" - mail, trade and transport on a comprehensive, direct and two-way basis.
"We will support economic development on the west shore of the Taiwan Strait in Fujian Province and in other areas where Taiwan investment is concentrated, protect the legitimate rights and interests of our Taiwan compatriots in accordance with the law, and serve them wholeheartedly," Wen said.
"The report shows that the central government has full confidence in the development of cross-strait relations and is resolved to rally its power to check 'Taiwan independence,"' said Zhang Yongjun, a deputy in the NPC's Taiwan delegation.
 "It also shows the goodwill of the mainland toward Taiwan compatriots and sincere care for their wellbeing," he said.
NPC deputies from the People's Liberation Army said the army resolutely opposes "Taiwan independence" and is ready for military action if necessary.
Lieutenant General Huang Cisheng said Chen Shui-bian has become the biggest troublemaker and threatens cross-strait peace and stability.
"We shall make ample preparations for a military fight. When the Party and people call on us to fulfill our duty, we can live up to their expectations," Huang said.
(Xinhua)