Prospects and Blueprint for the Development of Cross-Straits Relations

Xie Yu

　　On December 31, 2008, General Secretary Hu Jintao gave an important speech at a forum marking the 30th anniversary of the issuance of the Message to Our Compatriots in Taiwan. This speech is an important programmatic document for guiding the Taiwan work of the mainland of the motherland in the new period. It reviews the history of cross-Straits relations since 1979; comprehensively surveys the successful experience and insights the mainland of the motherland has had in developing cross-Straits relations; sets forth six guidelines for promoting the peaceful development of these relations; and thoroughly expounds the mainland of the motherland’s basic standpoint and strategic objectives for developing them; and lays out a blueprint for the peaceful development of these relations in the areas of politics, economics, culture, exchanges, foreign affairs, and mutual military trust.

　　In his survey of the successful experience developing cross-Straits relations over the last 30 years, General Secretary Hu Jintao said, “To promote the development of cross-Straits relations and achieve the peaceful reunification of the motherland, what is most important is to adhere to the principles of ‘peaceful reunification’ and ‘one country, two systems’ and the eight-point proposition for developing cross-Straits relations and promoting the peaceful reunification of the motherland in the current stage, unswervingly uphold the one-China principle, never give up our efforts to achieve peaceful reunification, never alter the principle of placing our hopes on the people of Taiwan, uncompromisingly oppose secessionist activities aimed at Taiwan independence, and cleave steadfastly to the theme of peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.” Events over the past 30 years fully demonstrate that the important government policies concerning our Taiwan work stated above conform to the tide of the times and the direction of history, serve the basic interests of the people and the core interests of the country, embody a spirit of respect for past and present realities and the wishes of the people, reflect a deep understanding of the objective laws concerning the development of cross-Straits relations, and provide the basis for making historic progress in developing cross-Straits relations.

The six guidelines General Secretary Hu Jintao set forth for promoting cross-Straits relations comprehensively and specifically delineate the prospects and a blueprint for the peaceful development of all aspects of cross-Straits relations.

First, these guidelines express the CPC’s rational attitude of respecting history and facing reality, and of giving primacy to the overall situation and taking a long-term view. In expounding these guidelines, General Secretary Hu clearly stated, “Although the mainland and Taiwan have not yet reunited since 1949, this circumstance does not entail that Chinese territory and sovereignty have been divided. Rather, it is merely a state of political antagonism that is a lingering legacy of the Chinese civil war. The fact that both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China has never changed. The reunification of the two sides of the Straits will not bring about a change of sovereignty or territory, but merely end a state of political antagonism.” He further said, “The two sides should take a constructive attitude, positively look to the future, and jointly strive to create favorable conditions for gradually resolving longstanding issues in cross-Straits relations and any new issues that may arise in the course of development through consultation between equals.” He also said, “Anything conducive to the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations should be energetically promoted, and anything detrimental must be firmly opposed.”

Second, the six guidelines clearly express the basic position and standpoint that the mainland of the motherland will promote cross-Straits dialogue and consultations to settle the Taiwan question by peaceful means. In his speech General Secretary Hu said, “Chinese people on both sides of the Straits have the responsibility to jointly end the history of cross-Straits hostilities and prevent the recurrence of a clash of arms between compatriots, and to give future generations the chance to join hands and create a better life.” He suggested that while cross-Straits political relations are in the special circumstances of the country not yet being reunited, the two sides should carry out pragmatic explorations on how to engage and exchange with each other on military issues and search for a mechanism for fostering mutual trust concerning military security. He again made the appeal: “On the basis of the one-China principle, we should formally end the state of hostilities across the Straits through consultation, reach a peace agreement, and create a framework for the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.” This speech fully expresses the good will and good faith of the mainland of the motherland to do everything in its power to safeguard the peace of Taiwan and the common interests of both sides of the Straits.

　　Third, the six guidelines adopt flexible and pragmatic attitude and methods concerning cross-Straits economic cooperation and matters concerning foreign affairs. General Secretary Hu stated that compatriots on both sides of the Straits need to greatly expand economic cooperation. His speech indicated that the mainland of the motherland was looking forward to normalizing cross-Straits economic relations, expressed the hope that economic cooperation would become institutionalized, proposed that the two sides of the Straits sign a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement, and suggested that they create a mechanism for economic cooperation that embodies characteristics of both sides. The speech also expressed that we fully understand our Taiwan compatriots’ feelings on the issue of participating in international activities. It stated, “Further consultations can be conducted on Taiwan developing people-to-people economic and cultural exchanges with other countries in the future. Regarding the issue of Taiwan’s participating in the activities of international organizations, fair and reasonable arrangements can be made through pragmatic consultation between the two sides, provided that this does not give rise to notions of ‘two Chinas’ or ‘one China, one Taiwan.’”

Fourth, the six guidelines fully express our sincere solicitude for our Taiwan compatriots and our deep understanding of the thinking of the people of Taiwan. General Secretary Hu’s speech states, “Compatriots on both sides of the Straits form a community bound by bonds of blood and having a common destiny. China, which includes the mainland and Taiwan, is the common home of compatriots on both sides of the Straits, and both sides have the responsibility to safeguard and build China well.” The speech also stated that the mainland of the motherland fully understands, trusts and cares for our Taiwan compatriots; is attentive to their desires and wishes; understands their requests; and is willing to mediate their disputes, do more that is of practical benefit to them, protect their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law, and unite with them on the broadest possible basis in promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations. Chinese culture is a common cultural treasure of compatriots on both sides of the Straits, an important bond maintaining feelings of ethnic identity between them, and a spiritual bond strengthening ethnic consciousness, forging a common will, and forming a common scheme for the great revival of the Chinese nation. Regarding the fact that some of our compatriots in Taiwan do not understand or even misunderstand the mainland of the motherland and have misgivings about cross-Straits relations for various reasons, we are not only willing to dispel their misgivings and redirect their thinking with the greatest tolerance and patience, but are also willing to adopt even more affirmative measures to work for the wellbeing of our Taiwan compatriots.

General Secretary Hu Jintao’s speech clearly indicates the direction in which cross-Straits relations should develop, lays out objectives, sketches the prospects and a blueprint for the development of cross-Straits relations, and vigorously puts cross-Straits relations on the course of peaceful development.