The Important Strategic Policy of Promoting Peaceful Development of Cross-Straits Relations:Studying the Speech of General Secretary Hu Jintao

Executive member of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification

Yu Keli

　　At a forum marking the 30th anniversary of the issuance of the Message to Our Compatriots in Taiwan, General Secretary Hu Jintao comprehensively reviewed and summarized our experience over the past 30 years in developing cross-Straits relations, and set forth six guidelines for promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, furthering the peaceful reunification of the motherland and achieving the great renaissance of the Chinese nation in these new circumstances. These six guidelines point out the direction for further developing cross-Straits relations and an effective way to promote the peaceful reunification of the motherland, and they give full expression to our resolve and sincerity to secure the blessings of fortune for our compatriots on both sides of the Straits, peace in the Taiwan Straits and the renaissance of the Chinese nation. They are a programmatic document and guiding ideology for our Taiwan work now and for a considerable time in the future, and they are very realistic and have profound historical significance.

　　First, General Secretary Hu’s speech comprehensively and incisively explicates the great significance of guaranteeing the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and the deep meaning of promoting their peaceful development. Promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, using peaceful methods to complete the reunification of the motherland, and getting compatriots on both sides of the Straits to work hand-in-hand to achieve the great renaissance of the Chinese nation was a central thread running through the speech. The speech comprehensively expounded the great significance of guaranteeing the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations in terms of four benefits it would bring. Such development is beneficial for 1) increasing exchanges and cooperation and fostering warm feelings in people on both sides of the Straits for compatriots on the other side; 2) increasing mutual trust and resolving cross-Straits disputes; 3) common economic development and prosperity on both sides of the Straits; and 4) safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity and achieving the great renaissance of the Chinese nation. The speech sets forth the general goal of promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations by thoroughly articulating five aspects of the deep meaning of doing so. These aspects are: 1) achieving the unity, harmony and prosperity of the whole nation and strengthening the political foundation for the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations; 2) adhering to the principle that the mainland of the motherland and Taiwan are both parts of one China and laying out an important path for peacefully developing cross-Straits relations; 3) deepening exchanges and cooperation, promoting consultation and negotiation, and providing a powerful impetus to promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations; 4) getting compatriots on both sides of the Straits to unite in struggle, which is a necessary condition for promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations; and 5) continuing to oppose secessionist activities aimed at Taiwan independence. This incisive exposition has a firm grasp of the main theme of the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, takes creating a general framework for peacefully developing cross-Straits relations as its purpose, is based on opening a new chapter in the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, and sets the direction for compatriots on both sides of the Straits to promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations together.

　　Second, the speech states very clearly that scrupulous adherence to the principle that there is only one China is the foundation for increasing political trust across the Straits. The speech incisively identified the basic nature of the Taiwan question: although Taiwan has not yet unified with the mainland of the motherland, this situation is a remnant of the Chinese civil war that has been prolonged by political antagonism. This kind of political antagonism has not altered the fact that the mainland of the motherland and Taiwan are both part of China, and China’s territory and sovereignty have not been divided. If the two sides of the Straits reunify, this will not alter China’s sovereignty or territory, but merely end political antagonism. There is only one China in the world, and its integral sovereignty and territorial integrity are indivisible. The key to solving of the Taiwan question is the unification of the motherland, and the goal is to safeguard and ensure the integral sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, bring prosperity to compatriots on both sides of the Straits, and achieve the great renaissance of the Chinese nation. If the two sides can forge a common understanding and shared viewpoint on preserving the one-China framework, which is a matter of principle, then that will provide a foundation for building political trust. Given this premise, all matters of concern to both sides of the Straits can be fruitfully discussed, and it will be possible to find a method and path to solve all problems.

　　Third, the talk laid out new goals and higher requirements for cross-Straits economic exchanges and cooperation. Cross-Straits economic exchanges and cooperation have developed rapidly over the past 30 years, especially in the less than six months since the KMT regained political power in Taiwan, when a new breakthrough was made in basically establishing direct transport, mail and trade links. In light of the new situation concerning the development of cross-Straits economic relations, the speech promptly set forth the new objective of “achieving the normalization of economic relations and promoting the institutionalization of economic cooperation,” and “establishing an economic cooperation mechanism with cross-Straits characteristics.” In order to achieve this objective, and to lay a firmer material foundation and provide a stronger economic impetus for peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, the speech not only advocated that compatriots on both sides of the Straits “greatly develop economic cooperation and expand the three direct links, firmly establish common interests, create intimate relations and achieve a win-win situation” with great boldness of vision, but also broad-mindedly gave a positive reply to the suggestion the Taiwan leader made to sign a comprehensive cross-Straits economic cooperation agreement. This displayed great sincerity in single-mindedly working for the prosperity of compatriots on both sides of the Straits, and wholeheartedly promoting common economic development and prosperity on both sides of the Straits.

　　Fourth, the speech displayed an enormous magnanimity and patience toward those Taiwan compatriots who have feelings of estrangement toward or misunderstandings of, or even hostility toward the mainland of the motherland. A thorough understanding, appreciation, tolerance and magnanimity toward our Taiwan compatriots were manifested throughout the speech, and these feelings were evident in the wording of the entire speech. The speech clearly made the distinction for the first time between “the feeling Taiwan people have for their birthplace and native soil and the feeling of Taiwan independence.” It expressed profound feelings for the lack of understanding and in some cases deep misunderstandings some Taiwan compatriots have of the mainland of the motherland for various reasons that cause them to have doubts about developing relations with the motherland, and expressed willingness to use the greatest possible magnanimity and patience to dispel their misgivings and build bridges. The speech also warmly welcomed those who had once advocated, worked for or supported Tai wan independence to “return to the correct orientation of promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.” For the first time, he made a direct appeal to the Democratic Progressive Party, expressing the hope it would recognize the trend of the times, stop its Taiwan independence secessionist activities, and no longer oppose the common aspirations of the whole nation, and he solemnly stated, “If the Democratic Progressive Party changes its Taiwan independence separatist position, we will make a positive response.” These proposals show that implementation of the mainland of the motherland’s policy of placing its hopes on the Taiwan people embodies more liberated thinking and a spirit of constantly making progress. This is a significant new breakthrough.

　　Fifth, in dealing with the issue of Taiwan’s participation in international activities, the speech was more pragmatic and flexible while still adhering to principle. The speech for the first time publicly stated, “We understand our Taiwan compatriots’ feelings about the issue of participation in the activities of international organizations,” and it particularly stressed that mainland of the motherland “attaches great importance to solving problems concerning such participation.” The speech clearly stated that under the condition that it would not lead to “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan,” the two sides could carry out pragmatic consultations to make fair and reasonable arrangements for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. In short, as long as it does not damage national sovereignty, the issue of Taiwan’s participation in international activities can be dealt with in a flexible and pragmatic manner. At the same time that this shows consideration for the feelings and interests of our Taiwan compatriots, is beneficial for dispelling cross-Straits estrangement and misunderstandings, and increases mutual trust, it also eliminates unnecessary internal strife on both sides in dealing with foreign affairs and is beneficial for safeguarding and increasing the overall interests of the Chinese nation.

　　Sixth, both sides should place ending the cross-Straits state of hostilities, reaching a peace accord and creating a framework for peaceful development of cross-Straits relations on their agendas. In order to set the project of comprehensively normalizing cross-Straits relations in motion as soon as possible, the speech proposed that in the special circumstance in which the country has not yet been united, the two sides could first carry out pragmatic explorations on developing political relations, while at the same time formally and clearly stating that the two sides of the Straits can carry out contacts and exchanges on military issues in a timely manner and look into the issue of creating a mechanism to enhance military security and trust. These proposals are positive, pragmatic, concrete, feasible and full of originality. They not only create a good atmosphere for carrying out political consultations and negotiations, but can also, on the basis of the one-China principle, smooth the way for formally ending the state of hostilities and reaching a peace accord. They embody the resolve and intention of the motherland of the mainland to promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations with the greatest sincerity and all possible effort, and to strive for the peaceful unification of the motherland.

　　Seventh, the speech embodies the thinking of putting people first. The wording of the speech abundantly expressed the sentiment that the people on both sides of the Straits are all members of one big family and are bound by family ties, and expressed great hopes for our Taiwan compatriots. The speech stated that achieving the renaissance of the Chinese nation depends on the common effort of compatriots on both sides of the Straits, that the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations depends on the initiative of compatriots on both sides, and that both sides will share the fruits of this development in common. The speech also clearly stated the requirement that all official bodies, organizations and individuals of the mainland of the motherland whose work concerns Taiwan steadfastly put people first, put the policy of placing our hopes in the Taiwan people into practice in all aspects of their work, understand, trust and show concern for our Taiwan compatriots, be cognizant of their aspirations, understand their requests, alleviate their concerns and solve their problems, wholeheartedly accomplish more work of practical benefit to them, protect their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law, unite with them on the broadest possible basis, and work together to promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations. The speech stated that the future of Taiwan is tied to the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and the great renaissance of the Chinese nation. In the process of promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and achieving the great renaissance of the Chinese nation, compatriots on Taiwan and the mainland alike will enjoy in common the respect and honor accorded China as a great country and the pride and self-esteem of being full citizens of China. These proposals show that the policies of the mainland of the motherland concerning Taiwan not only fully incorporate the thinking on governance of putting people first and having a scientific outlook on development, but also intimately link the destiny and interests of Taiwan’s 23 million compatriots with those of the mainland of the motherland’s 1.3 billion compatriots, genuinely view compatriots on both sides of the Straits as a community bound by destiny and related by blood, embody the sincerity and resolve of the mainland of the motherland that it “absolutely will not deviate from implementing the policy of placing its hopes in the Taiwan people,” and bring the policies of the mainland of the motherland in closer accord with the vital interests of our Taiwan compatriots. The vast majority of our Taiwan compatriots will come to know and understand these points and gradually accept them.

　　We thoroughly believe that if we resolutely implement the six guidelines General Secretary Hu Jintao set forth for promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and furthering the process of unifying the motherland, compatriots on both sides of the Straits definitely can join hands and unite in a common struggle to “open a new chapter in the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and greet the glorious future the great renaissance of the Chinese nation will bring.”