Wu Rong-I Dialogues with Zhang Nianchi

Wu Rong-I Dialogues with Zhang Nianchi
China Times editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China)
A Translation
October 15, 2013

Summary: Taiwan is a pluralistic democracy. Different people have different desires and different demands. But the shared goal of the main political parties is to ensure the survival of the Republic of China, defend democracy and freedom, increase participation in international affairs, and enhance our capability for self-defense. The Red, Blue, and Green camps on both sides of the Strait should continue sponsoring the Peace Forum. They should increase consensus, seek common ground, and resolve differences.

Full text below:

The two-day long Cross-Strait Peace Forum has just adjourned in Shanghai. Former Vice Premier Wu Rong-I and East Asian Institute Shanghai Chapter Chief Zhang Nianchi spoke on the "fraternal relationship" between the two sides. This invited considerable speculation.

Wu Rong-I attended the forum as chairman of the "Taiwan Braintrust" think tank. During the forum, he voiced support for the "fraternal relationship concept" long advocated by think tank founder Koo Kuan-min. He argued that the two sides may have their own sovereignty and jurisdiction, but that relations can be fraternal. The "fraternal relationship concept" implies that cross-Strait relations are state to state relations. On Taiwan it has long been viewed as a Deep Green political position. Parties opposed to Taiwan independence have criticized it. Mainland officials have viewed it as a scourge.

But Zhang Nianchi, intellectual heir to ARATS Chairman Wang Daohan, responded positively to Wu Rong-I's statement. He said it was worth consideration by the Mainland side. He also said that current cross-Strait relations are the best they have been in 60 years. He said was afraid of setbacks. He said he hoped the "first economics, then politics phase" could last as long as possible. He said he was afraid that if political issues were not dealt with properly, they would lead to hurt feelings. He said that seeing people with differing political views from both sides attending the conference and discussing cross-Strait peace and some of the most sensitive political issues around, was "a major shock."

Wu Rong-I and Zhang Nianchi's reference to the "fraternal relations concept" was highly instructive, and well consideration by "those in the know." First of all, Zhang Nianchi supported the "fraternal relationship concept." This shows that Mainland think tanks have kept up with the times. It demonstrates openness and inclusiveness. By contrast, on Taiwan, Green Camp members continue to wallow in Cold War consciousness and nativist self-pity. It is hard not to worry about the prospects for cross-Strait relations and the future of Taiwan.

The "fraternal relationship concept" for cross-Strait relations may be unacceptable to the Mainland authorities and the mainstream media. But 20 years ago ARATS President Wang said "One China is not present tense. It is however, in progress." His view was unacceptable to the Beijing authorities. The result was 20 years of troubled cross-Strait relations, often on the brink of open conflict. The cross-Strait "fraternal relationship concept" is currently unacceptable to Mainland authorities. But who knows whether Beijing's thinking will change during the coming years?

Now take Taipei. President Ma Ying-jeou delivered a Double Ten speech. He said "The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are fellow Chinese. Cross-Strait relations are not international relations." DPP leaders and the Pan Green media blasted him. They said the Ma administration was rushing headlong towards "eventual reunification." They even called his speech a "confession that he was seeking reunification."

Beginning with his first Inaugural Address, President Ma has reiterated countless times over the past five years that "The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are fellow Chinese," and that "Cross-Strait relations are not state to state relations." President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu both visited the Mainland in search of their roots before being elected. Former Premier Frank Hsieh returned to his ancestral home last year. He too declared that he had returned to his brother's home. All three acknowledged that they were Chinese.

Ma said "Cross-Strait relations are not international relations." This has long been a fact of international politics. During President Lee Teng-hui's term, the ROC passed the "Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area." It established the "Mainland Affairs Council" under the aegis of the Executive Yuan, to promote cross-Strait affairs, and to deal with Mainland policy. The DPP's own Tsai Ing-wen served as Mainland Affairs Council Chairman. During her term, the Three Cross-Strait Mini-links were established. If relations between the two sides were relations between separate nations, i.e., international relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would have handled cross-Strait affairs and promoted Mainland policy. Why would we have bothered to establish the MAC? The DPP can hardly carry out an action, then declare it illegal.

Taiwan is an increasingly mature democracy. It has undergone two ruling party changes. Nearly 30 years have elapsed between democratic transition and democratic consolidation. Democracy on Taiwan has become a force impossible to reverse. No one can sell out Taiwan. Any change affecting the status quo for Taiwan is subject to the consent of 23 million people. The vast majority of the people on Taiwan advocate maintaining the status quo. This includes the MAC, its representatives, and the way cross-Strait relations are defined. The status quo is changeable too of course. But so far, for most people on Taiwan , the most important consideration is the defense of democracy, freedom, and human rights -- rather than changing the way cross-Strait relations are defined.

DPP leaders and the Pan Green media have blasted President Ma, alleging that he is rushing headlong towards "eventual reunification." They imply that the Ma government can lead people around by the nose. They are truly underestimating the political wisdom of the public on Taiwan. They accuse President Ma of "confessing that he is seeking reunification" in his Double Ten National Day speech. They have obviously misjudged the political situation on Taiwan. Democracy is entrenched on Taiwan. It is a formidable stabilizing force. No political party or politician can unilaterally alter Taiwan's democracy and free way of life.

The "Cross-Strait Peace Forum" has enabled the Red, Blue, and Green camps to tolerate and understand each other. The three camps should put themselves in the others' shoes. The Peace Forum was a private think tank event. But it attracted considerable media attention on Taiwan, and was given wide media coverage Future fora will convene regularly. They will establish panels to discuss a cross-Strait peace agreement and other relevant issues. The Cross-Strait Peace Forum should be viewed as an opportunity for Mainland views to be heard on Taiwan. Cross-Strait peace and development must endure. Therefore we are happy to see it succeed.

Taiwan is a pluralistic democracy. Different people have different desires and different demands. But the shared goal of the main political parties is to ensure the survival of the Republic of China, defend democracy and freedom, increase participation in international affairs, and enhance our capability for self-defense. The Red, Blue, and Green camps on both sides of the Strait should continue sponsoring the Peace Forum. They should increase consensus, seek common ground, and resolve differences. The three sides must follow the example of Zhang Nianchi and Wu Rong-I, and generously express mutual acceptance.

社論－吳榮義與章念馳的對話
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中國時報 本報訊 2013年10月15日 04:10

為期2天的首屆兩岸「和平論壇」於上海閉幕，前行政院副院長吳榮義與上海東亞研究所所長章念馳有關「兄弟之邦」的對話，啟人無限遐想。

吳榮義是以新台灣國策智庫董事長身分出席論壇，他在會中提出智庫創辦人辜寬敏長期主張的「兩岸兄弟之邦」理念，彰顯兩岸各有主權與治權，但具兄弟之誼關係。「兄弟之邦」說法隱含兩岸國與國關係立場，多年來在台灣內部被視為深綠立場，遭到反對台獨人士批判，大陸官方亦視為洪水猛獸。

但師承大陸首任海協會長汪道涵先生的章念馳所長，在會場正面回應了吳榮義的發言，認為很值得大陸思考。他並說，當前兩岸關係是60年最好的歷史時期，他曾經非常害怕出現倒退，所以希望「先經後政」越長越好，惟恐碰觸政治議題時處理不好會傷了感情。但參加這次會議看到兩岸各種政治立場的人，能平和討論兩岸最敏感的政治問題，讓他「有挺大的震撼」。

吳榮義與章念馳圍繞「兄弟之邦」的對話，非常具有啟發性，值得兩岸有識之士深思。首先，章念馳支持「兄弟之邦」主張，顯示大陸智庫思想的與時俱進、開放性與包容性，相對台灣綠營人士普遍耽溺於冷戰對抗思維與本土悲情意識，令人不能不對兩岸博弈的前景與台灣的前途感到憂心。

兩岸兄弟之邦關係可能仍然不能見容於大陸官方與輿論主流，但正如20年前大陸海協會會長汪道涵的「一個中國不是現在式，而是現在進行式」的說法，並未能見容於當時的北京當局，因而造成兩岸關係20年的折騰，甚至幾乎兵戎相見，兩岸「兄弟之邦」的說法，不見容於今天的中共當局，焉知未來若干年後北京不會改變思維？

場景回到台北，馬英九總統在雙十演講中提出「兩岸人民同屬中華民族，兩岸關係不是國際關係」，遭到民進黨領導人與綠營媒體大事抨擊，認為馬政府是朝「終統路線」暴衝，甚至誣蔑為「求統告白」。

從第一任就職演說開始，馬總統5年來不知說了多少次「兩岸人民同屬中華民族」與「兩岸關係非國與國關係」。其實，民進黨前正副總統陳水扁與呂秀蓮在入主總統府前，都曾赴大陸尋根；前行政院長謝長廷去年返鄉，也自稱回到兄弟家，他們都承認自己是華人。

「兩岸關係不是國際關係」已經是國際政治現實的一部分，前總統李登輝任內，我國通過《兩岸人民關係條例》，並在行政院下設「大陸事務委員會」主掌兩岸事務與推動大陸政策，民進黨執政時，蔡英文曾出任陸委會主委，任內並實現兩岸小三通。如果兩岸是國與國關係或是國際關係，則應由外交部處理兩岸事務與推動大陸政策，又何需設立陸委會？民進黨不能「只准州官放火，不許百姓點燈」。

台灣是一個日趨成熟的民主社會，歷經兩次政黨輪替，從民主轉型發展到民主鞏固近30年，民主制度在台灣早已成為不可能逆轉的力量。不僅無人可以賣台，任何影響到台灣現狀的改變都必須經過2300萬人民同意，而絕大多數台灣人民都主張維持現狀，包括陸委會的存在及其代表的兩岸關係定位。當然，現狀是變動不居的，但到目前為止，對大多數台灣人民來說，最重要的莫過於維持民主、自由與尊重人權的生活方式，並非改變兩岸關係定位。

民進黨人士與綠媒批評馬總統朝「終統路線」暴衝，好像馬政府可以玩弄人民於股掌之間，實在是低估了台灣人民的政治智慧；而他們指控馬總統的雙十國慶演說為「求統告白」，顯然又錯估台灣的政治情勢，民主制度早已在台灣根深蒂固，並產生沛然莫之能禦的穩定力量，任何政黨與政治人物，都不可能片面改變或扭曲台灣民主、自由的生活方式。

兩岸「和平論壇」讓紅藍綠相互包容，相互體諒，三方自應設身處地為對方著想。「和平論壇」雖屬民間智庫性質會議，但已引起台灣媒體的高度關注與廣泛報導，未來論壇將定期召開會議，並設小組分門別類研討兩岸和平協議相關議題。兩岸「和平論壇」應該可以視為大陸「話語權」進入台灣的開始，我們基於兩岸和平發展可長可遠角度，對此樂觀其成。

台灣是一個多元民主社會，各有主張也各有堅持，但各主要政黨之間存在的最大公約數，就是確保中華民國存在、維持民主自由的生活方式、擴大參與國際空間與提升自我防衛能力。兩岸紅藍綠要繼續舉行「和平論壇」，增加共識，求同化異，三方有必要效法章念馳、吳榮義的大器願意相互包容。