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Taiwan Authorities Should Carefully Think Advantages and Disadvantages
The 20th century witnessed the great glory of the Chinese nation, however, it also left to the Chinese a regret at the fact that the motherland has not as yet been reunified. With the arrival of the new century, the heavy task of realizing the complete reunification of the motherland historically falls on the shoulders of all the Chinese sons and daughters at home and abroad.
1. One China Is At Once a Historical Fact and an Objective RealityThat there is only one China in the world is at once a historical fact and an objective reality. Over the past decades since 1949, although there have existed difference between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits regarding the political meaning of one China, both sides have insisted that there is only one China in the world. The one-China principle is the common stand of both sides of the Straits and the foundation for cooperation. It was precisely on the basis of the consensus about one China that the two sides could begin contacts and exchanges, and that for a while results were achieved in cross-Strait dialogs and negotiations.
The one-China principle is also a fact already acknowledged by the international community. Whatever changes that might occur in the political world of the Taiwan region will not change the status of Taiwan being part of China. In the world pattern wherein "peace and development" are the themes of the time, the areas for integration of the interests between States have increased, and international relationship is based mainly on coordination. The overwhelming majority of countries in the world stick to the one-China principle and have committed to handling their relationships with Taiwan within the one-China framework, there is no space for "independence of Taiwan" in the world.
An early solution of the Taiwan issue and realization of complete reunification of the motherland is a major event concerning the fundamental interests of the people across the Straits. The Taiwan compatriots in general will not accept the prospect of "Taiwan independence" and turbulence in cross-Straits relations, the basic popular feeling characterized by their expectations of a stable development of the cross-Strait relationship has not changed. Since the election of the new leader of the Taiwan authorities, the basic stance of the mainland of the motherland is that it will "listen to the words and watch the deeds" of the new leader of the Taiwan authorities.
The issue to the common concern of the compatriots between the two sides of the Straits and the international community is whether or not the cross-Strait relationship damaged by the "two-states theory" can be improved. However, to this date, although the new leader of the Taiwan authorities has used some seemingly mild words in a series of his speeches, on the question of whether or not to accept the one China reality, however, he has so far not expressed an explicit attitude. This line of action has led to political turbulence, an economic slip, depression of the stock market, and instability of popular feeling, as a result, not only the cross-Strait political deadlock cannot be broken, but also certain factors of uncertainty have kept increasing.
We hope that the Taiwan authorities will take overall national interest and the fundamental wellbeing of the Taiwan people to heart and acknowledge the history and reality that both sides of the Straits belong to one China, so that both sides can restart dialogs and negotiations at an early date, so as to promote the final realization of the cross-Strait development and the great cause of the reunification of the motherland.
2. The Mainland's Attitude Is Both Adhering to Principle, and Being Flexible and PragmaticSince the two sides have been in a state of separation for many years, so it is only natural that they have different views on some political issues. However, the difference, no matter how big it is, cannot become an excuse for denying the one-China fact. No matter how strongly the Taiwan authorities emphasize the difference, the basic point which the cross-Strait relationship relies on for subsistence cannot be shaken, this means it is impermissible to partition China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The two sides of the Straits, though not yet been reunified, still belong to one China. One China is a reality, not a fiction. The core of adherence to the one-China principle is safeguarding China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Recently, Vice-Premier Qian Qichen again delivered a speech, expounding the meaning of the one-China principle in handling matters relating to cross-Strait relationship before reunification, particularly during cross-Strait negotiations. That is: There is only one China in the world, both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China, China's sovereignty and territorial integrity admits of no partition. This exposition contains both completeness and accuracy, and compatibility. Under the one-China principle, we have no objection to Taiwan's maintenance of non-governmental economic and cultural ties with foreign countries, but if some people cling to the "two-states theory", the space for Taiwan can only become smaller.
Some people attempt to create the "independence of Taiwan", this attempt not only cannot be countenanced by the international community, it can all the more not be countenanced by the Chinese people, including the majority of the Taiwan compatriots. "Taiwan independence" is an impasse, as well as a dangerous road. Prior to this, President Wang Daohan of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) pointed out: On the basis of the one-China principle, both sides of the Straits engage in consultation on an equal footing to discuss matters concerning reunification. Negotiation between the two sides can be conducted not in the name of the central government with the locality, so long as we adhere to the one-China principle, we can discuss any matter, we can seek common grounds while reserving differences and concessions can be made.
3. The One-China Principle Is the Foundation for Cross-Strait Relations in the New CenturyDr. Sun Yat-sen had one famous remark: The world trend is vast and mighty, those who go with it will prosper; those who go against it will perish. In the new century, China's reunification is an irresistible historical trend. As we look back to the past, we find that the area for cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation in various fields has kept expanding, and we are optimistic about the future development of cross-Strait relations. But the most crucial political obstacle to lifting cross-Strait relationship out of the impasse is that the leader of the Taiwan authorities has so far denied the one-China fact, and thus made it impossible to conduct cross-Strait dialogs and negotiations. An early reopening of cross-Strait dialogs and negotiations and an early realization of direct "three exchanges" (exchange of mails, trade and air and shipping services) to promote contacts between compatriots of the two sides is a matter conforming to the fundamental interests of the people between the two sides.
The new leader of the Taiwan authorities should judge the hour and size up the situation, think the advantages and disadvantages carefully and admit the history and reality that both sides of the Straits belong to one China, so that both sides can reopen dialogs and negotiations at an early date. The mainland of the motherland welcomes any effort that gets closer to acceptance of the one-China principle. The play of words characterized by stubborn evasion and obscurity of the one-China principle will never be able to slip through.
This article is written by Su Ge, deputy director of the China Institute of International Studies, about his views on China's reunification
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