Home>>Opinion
Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, July 24, 2002

Popular Will to Realize 'Three Direct Links' Irresistible: Signed Article

The following is a signed article published here in Beijing in the August issue of the magazine "Cross-Strait Relation". The article points out: The "three links" has become the consensus reached by compatriots across the Taiwan Straits, this popular aspiration is irresistible.


PRINT DISCUSSION CHINESE SEND TO FRIEND


The following is a signed article published here in Beijing in the August issue of the magazine "Cross-Strait Relation". The article points out: The "three links" has become the consensus reached by compatriots across the Taiwan Straits, this popular aspiration is irresistible.

The article says that since the latter half of June, there have been several batches of noted personages in the Taiwan political circles and Taiwan industrial and commercial enterprise delegations which have come to the Chinese mainland for exchanges and visits. They exchanged views with ARATS (Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits) and experts from related competent business departments of the mainland on bringing about cross-Strait "three direct links" as soon as possible and strengthening cross-Strait economic cooperation. This fact has drawn the extensive attention of the general public of Taiwan and the domestic and overseas public opinion.

As cross-Strait relationship has developed to this date, to realize direct exchanges of mail, trade and air and shipping services as quickly as possible has become the popular feeling and the general trend. Particularly after the Chinese mainland and Taiwan successively joined the WTO, hastening the realization of "three direct links" has appeared to be more urgent.

For a long time in the past, the fact that Taiwan authorities have obstructed cross-Strait "three direct links" under various pretexts has seriously harmed the economic benefits and vital rights and interests of Taiwan industrial and commercial circles and the broad masses of Taiwan people, and hindered Taiwan's economic development.

In the face of the new challenges and more intense international competition brought about by economic globalization, the two sides of the Taiwan Straits should strengthen cooperation, take advantage of each other's strengths and seek common development. Cross-Strait "three direct links" should not be delayed any more.

Following the Chinese mainland's accession to the WTO, its pace of opening up has been quickened, more foreign capital and enterprises have entered the vast market of the mainland and competition between investors and enterprises has been intensified. If, at this time, the two sides still fail to establish "three direct links" and form up a situation of complementarity, mutual benefit, cooperation and development, the business cost of Taiwan industrialists and businessmen will increase, and they will inevitably lose their competitive edge. In that case, it will directly harm the vital interests of Taiwan compatriots, and will hold up the development of Taiwan's economy as a whole.

An early realization of cross-Strait "three direct links" is the consistent advocacy of the Chinese mainland. Proceeding from the purpose of helping expand personnel contacts between the two sides of the Straits, enhancing mutual understanding, developing cross-Strait economic and trade cooperation, improving cross-Strait relations and safeguarding the interests of compatriots of the two sides, relevant departments of the Chinese mainland have, over the past 20-odd years, made unremitting efforts to advance the "three direct links".

Since the initiation of the reform and opening up program, the Chinese mainland has enjoyed political stability and social tranquility and sustained, sound and rapid economic development. Along with both sides' successive accession to the WTO, Taiwan's industrial and commercial circles and the general public of Taiwan have raised unprecedented, high demand on Taiwan authorities to relax restrictions, and open cross-Strait "three direct links" at an earliest possible date.

The result of the latest public poll disclosed by Taiwan media shows that 70 percent of Taiwan people demand an earliest cross-Strait "three direct links", so as to provide more development space for Taiwan's economy. The motion jointly tabled by Taiwan's opposition parties demands revision of relevant stipulations that restrain cross-Strait direct air and shipping services. Many influential industrialists and businessmen of Taiwan have expressed their willingness to accept Taiwan authorities' entrustment to go to the mainland for consultations on the "three direct links" question. The visits by several batches of "three links visiting delegations" composed of the political, industrial and commercials circles of Taiwan this time reflect Taiwan compatriots' urgent demand for "three direct links", and the interests and demands of most Taiwan people.

The Chinese mainland has repeatedly expressed in clear-cut terms its attitude and stand on cross-Strait "three direct links". As long as we look upon the "three direct links" as a country's internal affair, we can quickly open the "three direct links" by the method of people-to-people, industry-to-industry and company-to-company consultations.

This method is pragmatic, as well as feasible proved by facts. The concrete method to be employed can be this: non-governmental industrial organizations, entrusted respectively by both sides, can start consultations on professional and technical problems related to the "three direct links", sign "consensus", "summary of minutes", "arrangement" and other documents, respectively resolving problems concerning confirmation and implementation of the consensus.

The article points out that there is but one China in the world, both Taiwan and the mainland belong to one China, and China's sovereignty and territorial integrity admit of no partition. Cross-Strait "three direct links" is a country's internal affair, during consultation, as long as cross-Strait "three direct links" is regarded as a country's internal affair, the political meaning of one China may not get involved. In the meantime, only when cross-Strait "three direct links" is viewed as a country's internal affair, is it possible to fully and effectively safeguard and guarantee the actual interests of the industrial and commercial circles and compatriots of the two sides of the Taiwan Straits.

Take the opening of air and shipping services for example. The State can reserve its coastal traffic right, trading right and inshore fishing right for itself and its citizens in line with the stipulations on the sovereignty of the State and its territorial sea as laid down in the UN Convention on the Maritime Law, and with the generation of the two powers of important significance to the State. Regarding the cross-Strait shipping lines as a country's internal shipping lines makes it possible to avoid the participation and competition of foreign capital and companies, so that insiders of related business of the two sides can jointly go about their businesses and share interests. Otherwise, it would be impossible to stop foreign companies from joining in competition, and the rights and interests of cross-Strait industrial and commercial circles would be impacted and harmed.

The ports of the Chinese mainland opening to the outside will also be opened to Taiwan's ships, consultations on cross-Strait direct shipping ports, carrying vessel companies and ships can be conducted on a direct, two-way, equal and reciprocal basis when cross-Strait direct shipping service is realized in line with the internal affairs of a country..

The article says in conclusion that at present, realizing cross-Strait "three direct links" as soon as possible has become the consensus reached by compatriots of the two sides. To cope with the pressure brought by Taiwan people's strong demand for opening cross-Strait "three links", leaders of Taiwan authorities have indicated that the "three links" is the inevitable course", "entrusting non-governmental organizations to conduct consultations may be considered".

We hope that Taiwan authorities can be true to their words and will cease the practice of "saying one thing and doing another", so that the hope of Taiwan industrialists and businessmen and the general public will not be turned into disappointment again.

The various departments on the Chinese mainland have done a great deal of preparations, we can say that everything is ready, only the east wind is still lacking. So long as Taiwan's relevant non-governmental industrial organizations have been entrusted, consultations on cross-Strait "three direct links" can be started. We are willing, as always, to join efforts with Taiwan political, industrial and commercial circles and Taiwan compatriots, for an early realization of cross-Strait "three direct links".

By People's Daily Online


Questions?Comments? Click here
    Advanced






'Indirect Flight' Launched Between Shanghai and Taipei 

Sea Route Linking Chinese Mainland and Taiwan Opens



 


Missing Worker Found, Relatives Mourn ( 5 Messages)

China's Economy Grew 7.8 Percent in First Half Year ( 18 Messages)

Chinese Office Software Challenges Microsoft's Win98 ( 13 Messages)

Gang of 66 Criminals Get Heavy Sentences ( 74 Messages)

Secret of China's Manned 'Spaceport' Revealed ( 3 Messages)

How to View Major Problems in China's Income Distribution System ( 134 Messages)



Copyright by People's Daily Online, all rights reserved