Strategic Conception of Peaceful Development

Liu Hong

　　General Secretary Hu Jintao set forth six guidelines for the peaceful development of the relations across the Taiwan Straits at the Forum Marking the 30th Anniversary of the Issuance of the Message to Our Compatriots in Taiwan. The six guidelines constitute a collected, systematic and complete exposition of the framework, prospects, structure, path, motivation, conditions, and internal relations of the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations; the relation between peaceful development and peaceful reunification; and the strategic conception of and tactical requirements for peaceful development, and they put the ongoing progress of the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations on track.

The scientific content

of peaceful development

After 30 years of joint efforts by compatriots on both sides of the Straits, prospects for the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations have finally appeared, further encouraging everyone to continue to struggle to bring about the reunification of the motherland and the rejuvenation of the nation.

1. Peaceful development requires moving toward peaceful reunification.

First, we need to unwaveringly push forward the process of peaceful reunification. The crux of the Taiwan question is national reunification. Reunification is inseparable from the peaceful development of the country and the rejuvenation of the nation. Safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is the most fundamental precondition underlying the strategic choices concerning China’s peaceful development. Carrying out reform and opening up and solving the Taiwan question absolutely cannot come at the price of damaging the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we absolutely cannot sit idly by and watch Taiwan split from China out of concern that action will interrupt or undermine the course of China’s development. Therefore, we must carefully consider and practically solve major issues impacting the development of cross-Straits relations with an awareness of our responsibility to history and to the people, and from the perspective of the whole nation’s development, while demonstrating broader vision, deeper wisdom, more stalwart courage and a more pragmatic thought process. What is importantin the present stage is to grasp opportunities to accelerate development on both sides of the Straits, and to constantly solve the various problems we encounter in the course of development, increase understanding and mutual trust across the Straits, and accumulate the conditions necessary for cross-Straits reunification.

Second, peaceful development is the path we must follow to achieve cross-Straits reunification. The six guidelines clearly express the basis, path, motivation and conditions for our compatriots on both sides of the Straits to solve the Taiwan question, promote peaceful development and achieve national reunification. One, peaceful reunification can bring with it five benefits: bridge cross-Straits misunderstandings, concentrate energy for development, enable both sides to draw on the other’s strengths to overcome their own weaknesses, enable both sides to enjoy the dignity of the motherland together, and bring about national development. Now, we need to firmly grasp of the theme of peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, actively promote their peaceful development, and achieve the unity, harmony and prosperity of the whole nation. Two, we must strive for the peaceful reunification of the motherland with the greatest sincerity and utmost effort. The six guidelines revolve around peaceful development, and point the way to a bright future in which development is accelerated through reunification and complete reunification is brought about through development. Three, it is necessary first of all to ensure the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations. The six guidelines point out that if we want to achieve peaceful reunification, we must first of all ensure the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations. For these reasons, we must deem our insistence that the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China a political fundament for promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, view deepening exchanges and cooperation and furthering consultations and negotiations as the key avenues for promoting such peaceful development, regard strengthening the concerted endeavor of our compatriots on both sides as a strong impetus for promoting it, and strive to open up new vistas in the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations by joining hands to advance and pulling together with hearts united.

2. We need to induce compatriots on both sides of the Straits to unite in struggle.

Pinning our hopes on the Taiwan people was an important position set forth in the Message to Our Compatriots in Taiwan, and it is also an important component of the six guidelines.

First, it needs to be stressed that compatriots on both sides of the Straits form a community of common destiny bound by bonds of blood. We should do more to help our Taiwan compatriots and serve their practical needs with great enthusiasm. The six guidelines emphasize that compatriots on both sides of the Straits form a community of common destiny bound by bonds of blood, and that we are willing to adopt even more affirmative measures so that more and more of our Taiwan compatriots may enjoy enhanced wellbeing in the course of promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations. From a practical perspective, the mainland of the motherland has already adopted no fewer than 72 policies according Taiwan preferential treatment, which makes it clear that we hold that anything conducive to the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations must be energeticallypromoted, and anything detrimental must be staunchly opposed.

Second, the future of Taiwan hinges on the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and on the great renaissance of the Chinese nation. Even though the two sides presently have a different understanding of the connotation of “one China,” it is an objective fact that China, which includes the mainland and Taiwan, is the common home of compatriots on both sides of the Straits. Taiwan’s future is tied to the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and to the great renaissance of the Chinese nation. Taiwan urgently needs the help of the mainland of the motherland in handling its foreign affairs, withstanding the effects of the financial crisis and avoiding becoming economically marginalized. Peacefully developing cross-Straits relations is the common cause of compatriots on both sides of the Straits, and united struggle on the part of compatriots on both sides of the Straits has already become a powerful impetus promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations. The six guidelines state that it will take the joint efforts of our compatriots on both sides to achieve the great renaissance of the Chinese nation, that our compatriots on both sides must jointly create a new phase in the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, and that they will jointly enjoy the fruits thereof. We need to achieve the broadest possible unity with our Taiwan compatriots, and in the course of promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and achieving the great renaissance of the Chinese nation, we will partake of the dignity and glory of a great country and take pride in being dignified Chinese.

The strategic conception

of peaceful development

Facing the question of how to make the most of the strategic period of opportunity to press ahead with the strategic mission of peacefully developing cross-Straits relations, the six guidelines constitute a strategic plan and policy that manifest a high degree of self-confidence that we can peacefully develop cross-Straits relations and achieve peaceful reunification, and they set forth a guiding program for the next stage of the work and a basic framework for peaceful development.

1. Strategic decision making is the guiding program for peaceful development.

The six guidelines completely and systematically expound the new strategy for Taiwan work and fully manifest the foresight, strategic nature and correctness of this approach from the perspectives of politics, economics, culture, society, foreign affairs and negotiations. One, the six guidelines enrich and develop the general and specific policies of the mainland of the motherland concerning Taiwan. The Party’s leading group, with Hu Jintao as General Secretary, adheres to the principle of “peaceful reunification and one country, two systems,” Jiang Zemin’s eight-point proposition and Hu Jintao’s four guidelines. At a time when the focus of cross-Straits relations is shifting and these relations are entering an important period of peaceful development, the leading group takes the vantage point of the basic interests of the nation and the core interests of the country, and with broad vision, a view of the overall picture and an open heart, put forward a line of thought and a series of measures and strategies to guide the development of cross-Straits relations, spur progress of the development of cross-Straits relations and peaceful reunification, and build a new line, policy andtheoretical system. Two, the six guidelines set forth strategic thinking and a basic framework for developing peaceful relations. They encapsulate 30 years of practice, success and experience in developing cross-Straits relations, set forth the important tasks for the present stage of our Taiwan work, and envision a bright future in which peace stimulates development and development leads to reunification. They integrate long-term goals with present realities, strategic thinking with tactical requirements, general exposition with specific guidance, and peaceful development with the achievement of reunification. They constitute a guiding program for the present stage of our work.

2. A central framework is the fundamental prerequisite for peaceful development.

No matter whether we deal with economic issues first and then political matters or tackle easy questions before hard ones, cross-Straits relations must always remain a matter of our country’s internal affairs. This is not a negotiating standpoint; rather, it is a basic political position and fundamental prerequisite. The six guidelines are in accord with the nature and state of cross-Straits relations, and they find the basic line of thought for solving the Taiwan question. The origin of the Taiwan question lies in the all-out civil war in the mid- to late-1940s and the anti-Chinese policies of Western powers, principally the United States, in the early years of the Cold War. Starting from this premise, it is not difficult to define the nature and present state of cross-Straits relations. The four guidelines state, “Since 1949, even though the two sides of the Straits have not yet been reunited, the fact that the mainland and Taiwan both are part of one China has not changed. This is the present state of cross-Straits relations. This is not only our standpoint; it is also to be found in provisions and documents currently in effect in Taiwan. Since Taiwan and the mainland are both part of one China, the question of whether one of them will swallow up the other does not arise.” On this basis, the six guidelines state that the Taiwan question is merely a state of political antagonism that is a legacy – albeit a lingering one – of the Chinese civil war waged in the mid- to late-1940s. For the two sides of the Straits to return to unity will not effect an alteration of sovereignty or territory, but merely end political antagonism. Given that cross-Straits relations are in a state of political antagonism, the two sides should reach a common understanding and adopt a shared standpoint on the principle of upholding the one-China framework. This would provide a basis for mutual political trust. On the basis of these two premises, all issues dividing the two sides can be settled through discussion as long as both sides take the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations as their goal and take an attitude of resolving disputes. If there is mutual trust and both sides are sincere, a way to solve problems can be found.

3. Expanding exchanges is a force stimulating peaceful development.

The six guidelines take the strategic position of common development and prosperity of both sides of the Straits and the quest for a win-win situation as the starting point, promote taking the path of large-scale exchanges, cooperation and development, and stress three ways in which to expand exchanges. One, continue to promote extensive economic cooperation, expand the direct transport, mail, and trade links across the Straits, cultivate and augment common interests, form close ties and achieve mutual benefit and a win-winsituation. The short-term tasks of economic exchanges are to normalize cross-Straits economic relations and institutionalize economic cooperation, establish a closer mechanism for cross-Straits economic cooperation, and lay a firmer material foundation and provide a more powerful economic impetus for jointly resisting the global financial crisis and accelerating the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations. Two, deepen cross-Straits cultural exchanges. Chinese culture is also an important basis for achieving peaceful development because it cultivates cultural characteristics and national sentiments in compatriots on both sides of the Straits, and thereby constitutes an important link guaranteeing the national emotional bonds between our compatriots. The six guidelines emphasize that compatriots on both sides of the Straits need to carry out cultural exchanges in varied forms, and particularly expand youth exchanges between the two sides, so as to continuously infuse exuberant vitality into the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations. They suggest negotiating an agreement on cross-Straits cultural and educational exchanges, and boosting such exchanges and cooperation to a new level, one where they are more extensive in scope and higher in caliber. Three, expand two-way visits of people. The six guidelines emphasize that we need to comprehensively promote and expand cross-Straits exchanges by intensifying exchanges between various communities on the two sides, and their representatives, continuing to promote exchanges and dialogue between the KMT and the CPC, responding positively to any constructive opinions conducive to furthering the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, and enabling more and more of our Taiwan compatriots to enjoy enhanced wellbeing in the course of promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

4. Rationality and pragmatism are objective necessities of peaceful development.

The six guidelines address the new circumstances of political pluralism and the social currents that have appeared in Taiwan in recent years, and are grounded in the basic requirements of using the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations to expand the opposition to Taiwan independence, achieve unity among compatriots on both sides of the Straits, and place our hopes in the people of Taiwan.

The six guidelines state that compatriots on both sides of the Straits constitute a community of common destiny bound by bonds of blood. Regarding the fact that some of our compatriots in Taiwan lack understanding of, or even misunderstand, the mainland of the motherland and have misgivings about cross-Straits relations due to various causes, we are willing to undo such sentiments and counsel them with the greatest tolerance and patience. For these reasons, there are three areas in which we need to expand our work. One, we need to stress that the sentiments of our Taiwan compatriots who love their home and their land do not necessarily equate with a consciousness of Taiwan independence. It is perfectly natural for the people of Taiwan to have a Taiwan consciousness. Some people exploit this Taiwan consciousness to proselytize consciousness of Taiwan independence, so we must clearly differentiate Taiwan consciousness from consciousness of Taiwan independence. Two, we need to make it clear that as for those individuals who formerly advocated, engaged in, or pursued Taiwan independence, we shall also warmly and sincerely welcome them to return to the correct course of promoting the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations. For the last eight years, the forces of Taiwan independence have been in office in Taiwan, and Taiwan society has been rocked by fierce conflict between supporters of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the KMT, and so it is not at all surprising that people have appeared on the political left, center and right. Doing a good job of getting a portion of people to change their views is very important for effectively placing our hopes in the Taiwan people, eliminating the misunderstandings and doubts Taiwan people have concerning the mainland of the motherland and redirecting their thinking. Three, we hope the DPP will realize a clear understanding of the tenor of the times, and cease carrying out its Taiwan independence secessionist activities and acting at loggerheads with the common wish of the entire nation. To the extent that the DPP recants its Taiwan independence secessionist position, this will elicit a positive response from us. It can be said when the DPP suffered its crushing defeat, the mainland of the motherland clearly pointed out the direction it should take and found the key for it to continue to play a political role.

5. Making a political breakthrough is the important task of peaceful development.

After the institutionalized consultations between the mainland’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits and the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation began and dramatic progress was made concerning the three direct links across the Straits, people began to think about how to initiate political consultations. The six guidelines state that in the special circumstances of political relations in which the country has not yet been reunified, we can carry out pragmatic explorations. From the political perspective, there are three areas in which breakthroughs should be sought. One, we should explore a mechanism for fostering mutual trust with respect to military security. The Straits once experienced 30 years of blockade and confrontation. Peaceful development must solve the problem of cross-Straits military confrontation. Two, consultations should formally end the state of hostilities across the Straits, reach a peace accord, create a framework for the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations under which such development is normalized, institutionalized and put on a legal basis. Three, we should make fair and reasonable arrangements for Taiwan to participate in activities of international organizations. The six guidelines state that while firmly opposing interference by any foreign forces, we should continue to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots abroad, and discuss how Taiwan’s people-to-people economic and cultural exchanges with other countries should develop in the future. Under the condition that “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan” are not created, fair and reasonable arrangements for Taiwan to participate in activities of international organizations can be made through pragmatic consultations of both sides. If we want great progress to be made in the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, negotiations must get results on these three important issues. If we accept the 1992 Consensus, discussion of political issues can begin and we can reach consensus.

The six guidelines completely and scientifically create a strategic framework and offer bright prospects for the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.