Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China

“ The recent conclusion of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship and the normalization of relations between China and the United States show still more clearly that no one can stop this trend. The present situation in the motherland, one of stability and unity, is better than ever. The people of all nationalities on the mainland are working hard with one will for the great goal of the four modernizations. It is our fervent hope that Taiwan returns to the embrace of the motherland at an early date so that we can work together for the great cause of national development. ”

“ Article 31 Any unit or individual engaged in activities concerning water, such as development, utilization, conservation and protection of water resources and prevention and control of water disasters, shall follow the approved plans. Where a unit or individual that acts against the plans and thus causes the lowering of the use functions of the rivers or lakes, overexploitation of groundwater, sinking of land surface or pollution of water bodies shall bear the responsibility of bringing such phenomenon under control. ”

“ Article 74 Anyone who, in the course of a dispute over water and of its handling, stirs up unrest, engages in gang fighting, forcibly seizes or damages public or private property, or illegally restricts other people's freedom of the person, which constitutes a crime, shall be investigated for criminal responsibility in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Criminal Law; if the violation is not serious enough for criminal punishment, the public security organ shall, in accordance with law, mete out punishment to him for security administration. ”

“ Where a unit or individual, without examination and permission by the administrative department for water resources or the river basin authority, constructs, reconstructs or expands an outlet for sewage discharge, the administrative department for water resources under the people's government at or above the county level or the river basin authority shall, within the limits of its powers, instruct it/him to desist from the violation and to restore the original state within a time limit, and shall impose a fine not less than 50,000 yuan but not more than 100,000 yuan. ”

“ On the other hand, people in all walks of life in Taiwan have expressed their yearning for their homeland and old friends, stated their desire "to identify themselves with and rejoin their kinsmen," and raised diverse proposals which are expressions of their earnest hope for an early return to the embrace of the motherland. As all conditions now are favourable for reunification and everything is set, no one should go against the will of the nation and against the trend of history. ”

“ In areas that are prone to salinization and floodwater hazards, measures shall be taken to control or lower the groundwater level.
Where rural economic collectives or their members, in accordance with law, invest in construction of waterworks on land owned by the collectives or on land contracted, they shall, on the principle of "those who invest in construction shall manage and receive the benefits", manage and make rational use of the waterworks and the water stored. ”

“ Reunification of China today is consonant with popular sentiment and the general trend of development. The world in general recognizes only one China, with the Government of the People's Republic of China as its sole legal Government. ”

“ Where dredging or draining of water, necessitated by mining construction of underground project, results in the lowering of groundwater level, drying up of water sources or subsidence of ground, the unit that launches the mining or the construction project shall take remedial measures, and where losses are caused to other people's lives and production, it shall compensate for the losses in accordance with law. ”

“ We place hopes on the 17 million people on Taiwan and also the Taiwan authorities. The Taiwan authorities have always taken a firm stand of one China and have been opposed to an independent Taiwan. We have this stand in common and it is the basis for our co-operation. Our position has always been that all patriots belong to one family. The responsibility for reunifying the motherland rests with each of us. We hope the Taiwan authorities will treasure national interests and make valuable contributions to the reunification of the motherland. ”

“ In construction of hydropower stations, attention shall be paid to protection of the ecological environment, and consideration shall, at the same time, be given to the needs of flood control, water supply, irrigation, navigation, bamboo and log rafting, fishery, etc. ”

“ This mutual feeling of many years standing grows with each passing day. From the day when Taiwan was unfortunately separated from the motherland in 1949, we have not been able to communicate with or visit each other, our motherland has not been able to achieve reunification, relatives have been unable to get together, and our nation, country and people have suffered greatly as a result. All Chinese compatriots and people of Chinese descent throughout the world look forward to an early end to this regrettable state of affairs.
The Chinese nation is a great nation. ”

“ No one may, in areas under river course control, put up buildings or structures that block the passage of flood water, or engage in activities that adversely affect the stability of the river condition or endanger the safety of the river embankment or other activities that block the passage of flood water through the river course. ”

“ Economically speaking, Taiwan and the mainland of the motherland were originally one entity. Unfortunately, economic ties have been suspended for many years. Construction is going ahead vigorously on the motherland and it is our wish that Taiwan also grows economically more prosperous. There is every reason for us to develop trade between us, each making up what the other lacks, and carry out economic exchanges. ”

“ The people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the Central Government shall define the drying-up of the water sources and pollution of the water bodies, for the purpose of ensuring town and county residents' safety in respect of drinking water. ”

“ Our state leaders have firmly declared that they will take present realities into account in accomplishing the great cause of reunifying the motherland and respect the status quo on Taiwan and the opinions of people in all walks of life there and adopt reasonable policies and measures in settling the question of reunification so as not to cause the people of Taiwan any losses. ”

“ Article 8 The State encourages strict economy on the use of water, greatly promotes water-conserving measures, spreads the use of new technologies and techniques for water-conserving, develops water-conserving industries, agriculture and services, and builds a water-conserving community. ”

“ Since overseas Chinese residing in faraway foreign lands can return for visits and tours and hold reunions with their families, why can't compatriots living so near, on the mainland and on Taiwan, visit each other freely? ”

“ Where a non-navigable river or man-made waterway becomes navigable after a dam or sluice-gate is built across it, the unit that launches the project shall simultaneously have facilities built for the passage of ships or sites reserved for such facilities. ”

“ We hold that there is no reason for such barriers to remain. We hope that at an early date transportation and postal services between both sides will be established to make it easier for compatriots of both sides to have direct contact, write to each other, visit relatives and friends, exchange tours and visits and carry out academic, cultural, sports and technological interchanges. ”

“ It accounts for almost a quarter of the world's population and has a long history and brilliant culture, and its outstanding contributions to world civilization and human progress are universally recognized. Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China since ancient times. The Chinese nation has great vitality and cohesion. ”