Early this morning, the mainland authorities announced plans to launch missiles into waters to the northeast and southwest of Taiwan between March 8 and March 15, 1996. This action clearly is aimed at influencing the ROC's ninth-term presidential and vice presidential election, destroying the peace in the Taiwan Straits, and endangering regional peace and stability. On behalf of the ROC government, I wish to express the strongest protest, and call upon the mainland authorities to cease this provocation. We will hold Beijing responsible for any unfortunate consequences of this action.

Facing this situation, the Executive Yuan has directed the relevant agencies to make the following preparations: 1) The ROC armed forces have been directed by the government to maintain a state of alert, and are prepared to meet all possible actions of the Beijing regime. They will continue to monitor military activity on the mainland closely, provide instant reports, and take all necessary measures immediately, as the need arises. 2) We have already adopted necessary measures to ensure the safety of our fishermen and normal air and sea transportation in the vicinity. 3) We will continue to maintain law and order, stabilize the financial sector, and maintain normal economic activities. 4) The ROC's ninth-term presidential and vice presidential election, a historic event to be held on March 23rd, will be carried out as planned.

I reiterate that the ROC government is adamant in its pursuit of national reunification and strong opposition to Taiwan independence. This election is being carried out in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of China, and is in line with the will of the ROC people, and with world trends. The outcome of this election will not affect our position on cross-strait relations; nor will it alter our government's steadfast pursuit of national reunification.

It has also been, and still is, the long-standing policy of the ROC government to strengthen cross-strait exchange and negotiation while promoting positive interaction. The difference in political systems and ways of life across the Taiwan Strait is the main obstacle to reunification. However, this is not an issue that can be resolved by military means. An atmosphere that is conducive to reunification can be created only by relying on patience, promoting understanding through step-by-step exchange, dissolving hostility, and pursuing a way of life that is most beneficial to the Chinese on both sides of the strait. Popular will has indicated time and again that it is the common aspiration of the people on both sides to see the end of cross- strait enmity and promote mutual benefits and prosperity on the basis of peace.

The government of the Republic of China has already decided that, in the future, it will foster consensus on concrete and feasible proposals that will make a historic contribution to the development of cross-strait peace and to the security and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region. The mainland authorities should not unilaterally distort our position and repeatedly take actions that damage the bonds between the people on either side of the Taiwan Strait. This only hampers cross-strait exchanges and progress toward reunification.

I hope that the entire body of ROC citizens will remain calm and rational during this period, and continue to trust and support their government. The government will take appropriate and effective measures, and handle the situation with caution and in a manner that ensures full protection to the welfare of the people.