Wu Den-yih Strengthens Cross-Strait Trust at Boao

Wu Den-yih Strengthens Cross-Strait Trust at Boao
China Times editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)
A Translation
April 5, 2012

Summary: Vice President-elect Wu Den-yih has returned home from his three day visit to the Boao Forum, The most important item on his agenda was of course his meeting with Li Keqiang, Beijing's Vice Premier, who is expected to become Beijing's next Premier. A new generation of cross-Strait leaders are becoming familiar with each other. Four years ago, Vice President-elect Vincent Siew attended. He transited Hong Kong, then boarded a charter flight. This time Wu Den-yih took a direct flight to the meeting. This underscores the changes that have taken place in cross-Strait relations over the past four years. Once stagnation relations have now blossomed.

Full Text below:

Vice President-elect Wu Den-yih has returned home from his three day visit to the Boao Forum, The most important item on his agenda was of course his meeting with Li Keqiang, Beijing's Vice Premier, who is expected to become Beijing's next Premier. A new generation of cross-Strait leaders are becoming familiar with each other. Four years ago, Vice President-elect Vincent Siew attended. He transited Hong Kong, then boarded a charter flight. This time Wu Den-yih took a direct flight to the meeting. This underscores the changes that have taken place in cross-Strait relations over the past four years. Once stagnation relations have now blossomed.

The Boao Forum for Asia is unlike the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference. Beijing hopes to use the Boao Forum to play a leading role in the regional economy. Several years of development have taken place. The international economic situation has changed. Beijing now has a better sense of what is important and what is not. Six years ago, Vincent Siew founded the Cross-Strait Economic and Trade Forum. He established a platform for cross-Strait exchanges. The current event has set new records for the number of delegates and their rank. The Boao Forum has become the foremost platform for cross-Strait economic exchanges. Its importance cannot be overstated. More importantly, two vice presidents-elect have attended the forum. They have practically established a tradition. Four years later, will the forum carry on this tradition? This is something the ruling and opposition parties should ponder and prepare for.

Four years ago, Vincent Siew, Chairman of the Cross-Strait Common Market Foundation, became a full-fledged member of the Boao Forum, and was invited to attend. Siew was already Vice President-elect when the forum convened. Therefore he initiatlly hesitated, wondering whether he ought to attend. But President Ma Ying-jeou gave him the green light. Soon afterwards, he chose to attend. President Hu Jintao attended on behalf of Beijing. The two men participated in the high profile Siew/Hu Meeting. This was the highest-level quasi-official contact so far between the two sides.

Do not assume that the meeting between the two leaders was mere pro forma ritual. The Siew/Hu Meeting addressed many issues, including Mainland tourists coming to Taiwan. cross-Strait direct flights. and economic and trade cooperation. It was one of the Ma administration's most important first term achievements.

The Wu/Li Meeting during the current Boao Forum is promoting cross-Strait peaceful development, the peoples livelihood, and a consensus that economics must be given priority. Wu Den-yih is also attempting to persuade Beijing to respect the Taiwan public's "strong desire" for greater international participation and greater international space. This includes participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization, the Convention on Climate Change, and other NGOs. Li Keqiang responded positively to Wu Den-yih's requests. He said that a solution enabling Taiwan's participation in international activities can be found during consultations as equals. As long as cross-Strait relations remain stable and peaceful, the two sides have sufficient wisdom to find the answers.

Wu and Li also discussed the most pressing cross-Strait economic and trade issues. Li Keqiang said, "Compatriots on both sides of the Strait are part of the Chinese people, The cross-Strait economy is part of the Chinese peoples economy." He did not mention the 1992 Consensus. Instead he led with the concept of "The Chinese people" as the basis for stronger cross-Strait economic cooperation. This concept would strengthen cross-Strait economic cooperation and increase cross-Strait economic prosperity. It would benefit compatriots on both sides of the Strait. Wu Den-yih spoke of "seeking common ground while shelving differences, cross-Strait peace, building trust and good relations, and putting the livelihood of the people first." He stressed the people's livelihood. The main objective of cross-Strait relations is to increase the people's livelihood and well-being. This is reflected in our current cross-Strait economic and trade-policies.

In sum, Wu and Li concluded that the two sides should be more aggressive about improving cross-Strait relations. Beijing has no reason to oppose Taipei's participation in international economic activities. It should encourage this participation, even help it along. Taiwan can become the advance guard for the "Chinese peoples economy." Taipei and Beijing have signed ECFA, gradually consolidating their relationship. Taipei will promote international economic cooperation. It will share the benefits with Beijing. The two sides can be more open. They can do more to benefit the public on both sides of the Strait.

Before Wu Den-yih departed, the Green Camp demanded that Wu uphold the Republic of China, that he not say or do anything to undermine the sovereignty and dignity of the nation. In retrospect Green Camp concerns were baseless.

When Vincent Siew attended the Boao Forum, one Beijing economic and trade minister mispoke. He said that acknowledging One China was a precondition for attendance. Beijing immediately apologized and corrected the minister's error. This time no such missteps occurred. Wu and Li were equal in status. Each referred to the other as "Mr." to avoid embarrassment over their official titles. During talks with Taiwan business people, Wu Den-yih told local Pingtung businessmen that Beijing was already referring to their neighbor Tseng Yung-chuan as "Secretary-General to the Office of the President." Taiwan business people referred to Wu as "Vice President" three times during the forum. Beijing's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office officials were present. But they kept a low profile and did nothing to stop them.

Wu Den-yih's visit shows that cross-Strait political dialogue has three prerequisites. The time is clearly not quite ripe for cross-Strait political dialogue. Wu Den-yih's three conditions include: The accumulation of sufficient goodwill and sincerity, greater consensus and public support on Taiwan, and adherence to the democratic process. Frankly, cross-Strait relations must adopt a "first economics, then politics, first easy, then hard" approach. Steady as we go, will get us to our destination. Wu Den-yih's comportment at the Boao Forum was steady. We can now look forward to reaching our destination over the next four years.
   
中時電子報 新聞
中國時報 　2012.04.05
社論－吳敦義博鰲行 為兩岸互信再推進一步
本報訊

    　副總統當選人吳敦義結束博鰲論壇三天議程返國，三天會議中，最重要的當然是他與大陸國務院副總理、可望成為下一屆總理的李克強會談，這是兩岸新一代領導班子近距離相互熟識的起點；不同於四年前副總統蕭萬長同樣以當選人身分出席，轉道香港再包機前往，吳敦義此番以直航班機赴會，更見證了兩岸關係這四年來的變化，從停滯冰凝到如今已然繁華似錦。

    　不同於亞太經合會，博鰲亞洲論壇無疑是大陸希望在區域經濟領域扮演更主導的角色。經過這幾年發展，以及國際經濟形勢的變化，中國大陸確實已是舉足輕重；而六年前蕭萬長在論壇中創立「兩岸經貿論壇」，搭起前瞻性的兩岸交流平台，迄本屆參與年會的代表團規格、規模和團員層級也都創下紀錄，可以說博鰲論壇已經成為兩岸經濟事務交流的特殊平台，其重要性不言可喻。更重要的是，當兩任副總統當選人都得以出席論壇，幾乎形成「慣例」，四年後的論壇是否也能持續這個「慣例」？也值得朝野深思，才能有相應的準備。

    　四年前，蕭萬長以兩岸共同市場基金會董事長身分成為博鰲論壇正式會員，並受邀出席。由於論壇開幕時蕭已是副總統當選人，一度猶豫應否前往，但經馬英九總統拍板，在極短的時間內決定出席，大陸方面也由國家主席胡錦濤親自出席，並舉行眾所矚目的「蕭胡會」，這也是兩岸雙方準官方至今層級最高的接觸。

    　不要以為兩岸領導人的會面僅止於行禮如儀，當初蕭胡會談的諸多議題，從大陸人士來台觀光、兩岸直航、乃至經貿合作，數一數幾乎就是馬政府第一任的兩岸政策成果清單。

    　這一屆博鰲論壇「吳李會」，除確立持續深化兩岸和平發展、民生經濟優先的共識，吳敦義更進一步當面爭取，希望大陸重視台灣民眾對擴大國際參與國際空間的「強烈願望」，包括民航組織、氣候變遷公約組織與其他ＮＧＯ參與；吳敦義的訴求也得到李克強的正面回應，他表示台灣參與國際空間「可透過平等協商找到解決辦法」，只要兩岸關係穩定和平向前發展，一定有智慧找到解答。

    　而兩岸最關切的經貿議題，「吳李會」也有更深刻的討論，李克強提出「兩岸同胞同屬中華民族，兩岸經濟同屬中華民族經濟」，他沒把「九二共識」掛在嘴邊，而以「中華民族」做為兩岸加強經濟合作的前導，在這樣的概念下，深化兩岸經濟合作有利於促進兩岸共同發展，造福兩岸同胞。吳敦義則以他所提「求同存異，兩岸和平，講信修睦，民生為先」的十六字概念，強調「民生為先」正是兩岸關係發展的主要目的就在創造更多的民生福祉，呼應我們當前以經貿為主的兩岸政策。

    　綜合「吳李會」的談話，兩岸關係可以發揮更正面積極的角色，大陸方面不必排斥，甚至應該鼓勵協助台灣參與國際經濟活動，台灣可以成為「中華民族經濟」的先鋒，而在台灣與大陸簽署的ＥＣＦＡ逐步鞏固強化之後，台灣開拓國際經濟合作關係的成果，也可透過這個基礎與大陸共享，兩岸愈能開放思維，為兩岸人民創造的利益就更大更多。

    　吳敦義行前，綠營人士還高度要求吳勿忘中華民國，不可做出損及國家主權與尊嚴的言行，事後印證綠營人士是多慮了。

    　當年蕭萬長與會時，還曾發生大陸經貿部長誤提一個中國為前提等等的新聞稿，大陸方面旋即致歉並更正；這一次連這樣的插曲都沒有。吳、李地位平等，互以「先生」敬稱，避開職銜可能引發的尷尬。不過，在與台商會談時，吳敦義毫不避諱地告訴當地屏東台商，他們的同鄉曾永權已經高升「總統府秘書長」，台商也三度以副總統相稱，即使國台辦官員在座，也低調有禮地未加阻止。

    　吳敦義行前即已表明，兩岸進入政治對話有三個前提條件，此刻時機顯然未到瓜熟蒂落的時候，吳敦義所指的三條件是，累積足夠善意和誠意，台灣內部達成更高更強的共識，以及要獲得民意的支持，也就是完成民主程序，直言兩岸關係要「先經後政，先易後難」，行穩才能致遠。吳敦義博鰲行的表現，確實做到了「行穩」，期盼未來四年兩岸關係更能「致遠」。