中华人民共和国全国人大常委会告台湾同胞书
Message to Compatriots in Taiwan
（一九七九年一月一日，第五届全国人民代表大会常务委员会于一九七八年十二月二十六日举行第五次会议讨论通过）
January 1, 1979
(The Standing Committee of the Fifth National People's Congress at its Fifth Plenary Session on December 26, 1978 adopted after discussion a message to compatriots in Taiwan.)
亲爱的台湾同胞：
Dear Compatriots in Taiwan:
今天是一九七九年元旦。我们代表祖国大陆的各族人民，向诸位同胞致以亲切的问候和衷心的祝贺。
Today is New Year's Day 1979. We hereby extend our cordial and sincere greetings to you on behalf of the people of all nationalities on the mainland of our motherland.
昔人有言：“每逢佳节倍思亲”。在这欢度新年的时刻，我们更加想念自己的亲骨肉——台湾的父老兄弟姐妹。我们知道，你们也无限怀念祖国和大陆上的亲人。这种绵延了多少岁月的相互思念之情与日俱增。自从一九四九年台湾同祖国不幸分离以来，我们之间音讯不通，来往断绝，祖国不能统一，亲人无从团聚，民族、国家和人民都受到了巨大的损失。所有中国同胞以及全球华裔，无不盼望早日结束这种令人痛心的局面。
As an old saying goes, "When festival times come round people think all the more of their loved ones." On this happy occasion as we celebrate New Year's Day, our thoughts turn all the more to our kith and kin, our old folks, our brothers and sisters, in Taiwan. We know you have the motherland and your kinsfolk on the mainland in mind too. 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.
我们中华民族是伟大的民族，占世界人口近四分之一，享有悠久的历史和优秀的文化，对世界文明和人类发展的卓越贡献，举世共认。台湾自古就是中国不可分割的一部分。中华民族是具有强大的生命力和凝聚力的。尽管历史上有过多少次外族入侵和内部纷争，都不曾使我们的民族陷于长久分裂。近三十年台湾同祖国的分离，是人为的，是违反我们民族的利益和愿望的，决不能再这样下去了。每一个中国人，不论是生活在台湾的还是生活在大陆上的，都对中华民族的生存、发展和繁荣负有不容推诿的责任。统一祖国这样一个关系全民族前途的重大任务，现在摆在我们大家的面前，谁也不能回避，谁也不应回避。如果我们还不尽快结束目前这种分裂局面，早日实现祖国的统一，我们何以告慰于列祖列宗？何以自解于子孙后代？人同此心，心同此理，凡属黄帝子孙，谁愿成为民族的千古罪人？
The Chinese nation is a great nation. 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. Throughout its history, foreign invasions and internal strife have failed to split our nation permanently. Taiwan's separation from the motherland for nearly 30 years has been artificial and against our national interests and aspirations, and this state of affairs must not be allowed to continue. Every Chinese, in Taiwan or on the mainland, has a compelling responsibility for the survival, growth and prosperity of the Chinese nation. The important task of reunifying our motherland, on which hinges the future of the whole nation, now lies before us all; it is an issue no one can evade or should try to. If we do not quickly set about ending this disunity so that our motherland is reunified at an early date, how can we answer our ancestors and explain to our descendants? This sentiment is shared by all. Who among the descendants of the Yellow Emperor wishes to go down in history as a traitor?
近三十年来，中国在世界上的地位已发生根本变化。我国国际地位越来越高，国际作用越来越重要。各国人民和政府为了反对霸权主义、维护亚洲和世界的和平稳定，几乎莫不对我们寄予极大期望。每一个中国人都为祖国的日见强盛而感到自豪。我们如果尽快结束目前的分裂局面，把力量合到一起，则所能贡献于人类前途者，自更不可限量。早日实现祖国统一，不仅是全中国人民包括台湾同胞的共同心愿，也是全世界一切爱好和平的人民和国家的共同希望。
Radical changes have taken place in China's status in the world over the past 30 years. Our country's international prestige is rising constantly and its international role becomes ever more important. The people and governments of almost all countries place tremendous hopes on us in the struggle against hegemonism and in safeguarding peace and stability in Asia and the world as a whole. Every Chinese is proud to see the growing strength and prosperity of our motherland. If we can end the present disunity and join forces soon, there will be no end to our contributions to the future of mankind. Early reunification of our motherland is not only the common desire of all the people of China, including our compatriots in Taiwan, but the common wish of all peace-loving peoples and countries the world over.
今天，实现中国的统一，是人心所向，大势所趋。世界上普遍承认只有一个中国，承认中华人民共和国政府是中国唯一合法的政府。最近中日和平友好条约的签定，和中美两国关系正常化的实现，更可见潮流所至，实非任何人所得而阻止。目前祖国安定团结，形势比以往任何时候都好。在大陆上的各族人民，正在为实现四个现代化的伟大目标而同心戮力。我们殷切期望台湾早日归回祖国，共同发展建国大业。我们的国家领导人已经表示决心，一定要考虑现实情况，完成祖国统一大业，在解决统一问题时尊重台湾现状和台湾各界人士的意见，采取合情合理的政策和办法，不使台湾人民蒙受损失。台湾各界人士也纷纷抒发怀乡思旧之情，诉述“认同回归”之愿，提出种种建议，热烈盼望早日回到祖国的怀抱。时至今日，种种条件都对统一有利，可谓万事俱备，任何人都不应当拂逆民族的意志，违背历史的潮流。
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. 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. 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. 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.
我们寄希望于一千七百万台湾人民，也寄希望于台湾当局。台湾当局一贯坚持一个中国的立场，反对台湾独立。这就是我们共同的立场，合作的基础。我们一贯主张爱国一家。统一祖国，人人有责。希望台湾当局以民族利益为重，对实现祖国统一的事业作出宝贵的贡献。
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.
中国政府已经命令人民解放军从今天起停止对金门等岛屿的炮击。台湾海峡目前仍然存在着双方的军事对峙，这只能制造人为的紧张。我们认为，首先应当通过中华人民共和国政府和台湾当局之间的商谈结束这种军事对峙状态，以便为双方的任何一种范围的交往接触创造必要的前提和安全的环境。
The Chinese government has ordered the People's Liberation Army to stop the bombardment of Jinmen (Quemoy) and other islands as from today. A state of military confrontation between the two sides still exists along the Taiwan Straits. This can only breed man-made tension. We hold that first of all this military confrontation should be ended through discussion between the government of the People's Republic of China and the Taiwan authorities so as to create the necessary prerequisites and a secure environment for the two sides to make contacts and exchanges in whatever area.
由于长期隔绝，大陆和台湾的同胞互不了解，对于双方造成各种不便。远居海外的许多侨胞都能回国观光，与家人团聚。为什么近在咫尺的大陆和台湾的同胞却不能自由来往呢？我们认为这种藩篱没有理由继续存在。我们希望双方尽快实现通航通邮，以利双方同胞直接接触，互通讯息，探亲访友，旅游参观，进行学术文化体育工艺观摩。
The prolonged separation has led to inadequate mutual understanding between the compatriots on the mainland and on Taiwan and various inconveniences for both sides. 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? 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.
台湾和祖国大陆，在经济上本来是一个整体。这些年来，经济联系不幸中断。现在，祖国的建设正在蓬勃发展，我们也希望台湾的经济日趋繁荣。我们相互之间完全应当发展贸易，互通有无，进行经济交流。这是相互的需要，对任何一方都有利而无害。
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. This is mutually required and will benefit both parties without doing any harm to either.
亲爱的台湾同胞：
Dear compatriots in Taiwan,
我们伟大祖国的美好前途，既属于我们，也属于你们。统一祖国，是历史赋于我们这一代人的神圣使命。时代在前进，形势在发展。我们早一天完成这一使命，就可以早一天共同创造我国空前未有的光辉灿烂的历史，而与各先进强国并驾齐驱，共谋世界的和平、繁荣和进步。让我们携起手来，为这一光荣目标共同奋斗！
The bright future of our great motherland belongs to us and to you. The reunification of the motherland is the sacred mission history has handed to our generation. Times are moving ahead and the situation is developing. The earlier we fulfil this mission, the sooner we can jointly write an unprecedented, brilliant page in the history for our country, catch up with advanced powers and work together with them for world peace, prosperity and progress. Let us join hands and work together for this glorious goal!
