Peaceful development

Over the past 20 years, cross-Straits relations, following a general theme of peaceful development, have made breakthroughs in political, economic, cultural and other fields.

First, foiling attempts to separate Taiwan from China of certain political forces and establishing the "1992 consensus" as the political foundation for cross-Straits relations. The mainland has won a decisive victory over its battle with "Taiwan independence" forces led by Lee Teng-hui and Chen Shui-bian. Most of Taiwan's people stand against "Taiwan independence," laying the foundation for a historic turnover of cross-Straits relations.

In April and May 2005, Hu Jintao, former General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, met with Lien Chan, then Chairman of the Kuomintang, and Soong Chu-yu, Chairman of the People First Party, respectively. The mainland and major political forces in Taiwan, for the first time, reached consensus on opposing "Taiwan independence," insisting on the "1992 consensus" and pushing forward cross-Straits relations. After the Kuomintang resumed power in Taiwan in May 2008, both sides of the Taiwan Straits established the common political ground of opposing "Taiwan independence" and upholding the "1992 consensus." They have adhered to the spirit of establishing mutual respect, putting aside differences, seeking common ground and working for win-win cooperation. They also adopted proactive policies and measures to develop their ties following the principles of tackling easier matters and economic issues before trickier matters and political issues.

Second, realizing direct, two-way and complete "three links" and broadening the fields of cross-Straits exchanges. Dialogues between the ARATS and the SEF resumed in June 2008 after a nine-year suspension, which resulted in the signing of a total of 18 agreements up to now, including the significant Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement signed on June 29, 2010. These agreements solved practical problems faced by people involved in cross-Straits exchanges. The realization of direct, two-way and complete links of mail, trade and air and shipping services in 2009 greatly facilitated cross-Straits people-to-people exchanges. Economic cooperation has grown quickly in scale and forms. Mainland companies have started to invest in Taiwan.

People-to-people exchanges have also been fruitful. The Cross-Straits Forum participated in by ordinary people and the Zijinshan Summit for Entrepreneurs Across the Taiwan Straits have been launched and held regularly, serving as new platforms for people-to-people communication and corporate cooperation. Since Taiwan allowed mainland tourists to visit in 2008, the mainland has quickly become Taiwan's largest source of visitors.

Third, developing cultural and educational exchanges and consolidating the public support for peaceful development of cross-Straits relations. People on both sides have built effective and regular platforms for promoting cultural and educational exchanges, which help enhance their common sense of national identity and eliminate the influence of "Taiwan independence" in culture and education.

The mainland tries to involve more and more ordinary people from Taiwan in cross-Straits exchange programs so that they can benefit from the improvement of cross-Straits relations and people on both sides could become emotionally closer to each other.

So far, forces in favor of "Taiwan independence" are losing their support base and the majority of the people in Taiwan call for peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, which has become the mainstream public opinion.

An even brighter future

With existing achievements in cross-Straits relations, the mainland and Taiwan will promote the future development of their ties in a comprehensive and steady manner.

First, the political foundation of the cross-Straits relationship and their negotiation mechanism will be further strengthened. In the future, both sides of the Taiwan Straits can maintain positive interaction based on the consolidation of the common political foundation of opposing "Taiwan independence" and sticking to the "1992 consensus." They can seek common ground while resolving differences and deepen the common understanding that both sides belong to one China. On this basis, the two sides will jointly explore cross-Straits political relations and make reasonable arrangements for them under the special condition that the country is yet to be reunified. They will also accelerate the follow-up negotiations regarding the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement and expand cooperation in trade, culture, education, science and technology.

Second, economic cooperation across the Straits is about to yield more results. More mainland-based companies have plans to invest in Taiwan. Moreover, cross-Straits industrial cooperation is expected to grow in scale and cooperation formats. In addition, banks, securities companies and insurance companies on both sides of the Straits have been increasing their cooperation. For example, the cross-Straits currency settlement memorandum that went into effect in November 2012 allows direct currency transactions between the mainland and Taiwan's banking systems, thereby forging closer monetary ties. Meanwhile, development will continue on the Western Taiwan Straits Economic Zone and Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone to strengthen cross-Straits economic cooperation.

Third, communication in all fields at all levels will be boosted. More exchange platforms will be established and more mainlanders will visit Taiwan as individual tourists. Universities will increase their enrollment of students from the other side. Youth communication programs will be added. Influential people in academic, cultural and educational circles will meet their counterparts more and increase understanding between both sides.

The author works for the Institute of Taiwan Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

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