Unofficial translation from Russian

PRESS RELEASE

The authorities of Taiwan have come up with a number of statements recently that have caused serious concern in Russia. In particular, we view with bewilderment the ideas set out on January 29, 2006, by Chen Shui-bian in a generalized form, which directly contradict the promises he himself previously made and the obligations assumed. His voiced intention to abolish the National Unification Council and the Guidelines for National Unification attests to the current Taiwan administration's lack of interest in real work on forging a constructive dialogue with the mainland and can be regarded as gradual movement towards Taiwan independence. Such moves, we know, enter into contradiction with the aspirations of the majority of the people of Taiwan. They have caused a negative reaction in the world. In a situation where persistent efforts are needed to revive the dialogue between the two coasts of the Taiwan Strait, the latest statements of the Taiwan side look provocative. They not only do not correspond to the interests of maintaining peace and stability in this subregion, but also are fraught with the most serious consequences for the APR as a whole.

Russia's principled position on the Taiwan problem is well known. We hold that in the world there is only one China, of which Taiwan is an integral part. We are against Taiwan's independence in any form, and the concepts of "two Chinas" or "one China and one Taiwan" are unacceptable to us. This position is clearly stated in the Russian-Chinese Treaty on Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation of July 16, 2001, and a number of Russian-Chinese documents and is not subject to any change.

February 6, 2006