Our Shared Cross-Strait Destiny

Our Shared Cross-Strait Destiny
China Times editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)
A Translation
May 21, 2014

Summary: Taiwan can take advantage of the rise of Mainland China to further strengthen itself. But Chinese people on both sides of the Strait must stand together. We urge the government and the people of Taiwan to view the matter from a higher, more strategic level. We consider ourselves modern, civilized, rational Chinese. We have confidence in the soft power of Taiwan. Our attitude should be neither self-abnegating nor self-aggrandizing. Education and examinations can transform society, enlighten the public, and encourage identification with Chinese civilization. As proud Chinese people, both sides can participate in the process of modernization. This is the way to resolve cross-Strait issues.

Full Text Below:

The maritime clash between China and Vietnam has led to irrational protests by the Vietnamese people. Anti-Chinese activities have negatively impacted many Taiwan businesses. They have caused serious damage to property, and pose serious threats to personal security. The government has taken measures to safeguard the rights and interests of Taiwan businessmen. The media has predictably criticized the decisions of the government and the actions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mostly the media was being too perfectionistic. Vietnam's anti-Chinese behavior is outrageous. The two sides of the Strait have different regimes. But both belong to one China, They are both Chinese. This fundamental truth must not be muddied. This is the key to the problem. The strategic situation in East Asia is increasingly complex. Relations between Mainland China and other countries may be good and bad. Either way, Taiwan will find it hard to avoid the consequences.

A few simple facts can explain a seemingly complex matter. Mainland China, Japan, and Taiwan have a dispute over the Diaoyutai Islands. The Mainland has proposed that the two sides jointly safeguard sovereignty over the islands. President Ma however, has proposed an "East China Sea Peace Initiative," which refuses cooperation with the Chinese mainland. Japan is attempting to prevent cross-Strait cooperation. It hastily signed a fisheries agreements with us. With reference to the South China Sea disputes, Mainland China has proposed a "South China Sea Code of Conduct." The countries involved have agreed to it. But Taiwan has not been able to take part in any meetings. The United States is attempting to coerce us into taking back our declaration regarding the "nine segment line." It is attempting to undermine the legitimacy of Mainland claims. Taiwan and Vietnam could clash militarily over Taiping Island. In a worst case scenario, Support or even rescue by the Mainland may be needed. How would we deal with such a headache then?

On the 9th of this month, this newspaper published an editorial entitled "Let the Republic of China become a Force for Cohesion." We appealed to the ruling and opposition parties and the nation to unite in the face of myriad challenges. Today we propose that Chinese people on both sides of the Strait join hands and acknowledge our common cross-Strait destiny. The first editorial addressed matters relating to systems and values. The second editorial addresses national sentiments and long-term cross-Strait relations. Our proposal is reasonable, necessary, and forward-looking. It also addresses matters of strategic vision and tactical methods. The two sides may wish to consider our proposal. What exactly should Mainland China and Taiwan do? Can the two sides work together and adopt the proper measures? Let this proposal come to fruition as soon as possible.

First, according to the constitution Ma Ying-jeou is president of the Republic of China. Therefore he should act in accordance with the constitution and promote national unity. The KMT's "no reunification, no Taiwan independence, no use of force" stance is merely a cheap and expedient means of maintaining the status quo. As Chen Chang-wen said, merely opposing Taiwan independence cannot inspire devotion. It cannot sustain public morale. President Ma says he considers Taiwan the heir to Chinese civilization. He considers the existence of the Republic of China an asset that can ensure China's prosperity and future. Therefore President Ma should restore the Guidelines for National Unification, and the National Unification Council. He should even reiterate his support for "Reunify China under the Three Peoples Principles." President Ma may even wish to follow the example of Chiang Ching-kuo, when Chiang declared that he was both Chinese and Taiwanese, or Taiwanese and Chinese. This would have an enlightening and reformative effect.

The public on Taiwan has undergone changes in its sense of national identity. This is only natural, given the passage of time. But politicians, especially Lee Teng-hui and Chen Shui-bian manipulated and artificially accelerated this alienation. Objectively speaking, Taiwan must learn to live in peace with the Mainland. The DPP must jettison its fear of Communism and Sinophobia. It must abandon its separatist ideas. It must learn to distinguish between a regime, a nation, and a people. Reunification need not be a problem. We merely need to stipulate the timing and conditions for reunification. Taiwan must insist on certain values. It must reject an unreasonable system. It cannot accept unreasonable conditions. What it must pursue is a win/win competition that leads to integration and reunification. We hope the DPP will recognize this. China is something that Chinese compatriots on both sides hold in common. The people of Taiwan have the right and responsibility to express their opinion about the future of China. The DPP must stop depriving future generations the opportunity to prosper on Mainland China.

Consider the matter from the perspective of Mainland China and the two sides. How specifically does one create a common destiny for both sides of the Strait? One can of course begin by reducing negative rhetoric. Make fewer negative statements. First put one's own house in order. Plan for the long term instead of seeking short term expediency. On issues of concern to people on both sides, make reasonable arrangements with concrete commitments. Continue promoting peaceful development and cross-Strait friendship.

The Mainland may wish to consider establishing cross-Strait economic zones and plans, explaining the substantive benefits of reunification. Various provinces could establish sister cities and sister counties relationships with various regions of Taiwan. They could promote cross-Strait cultural and educational agreements as soon as possible. This would increase identification with Chinese civilization and pride in Chinese identity among the public on Taiwan.

Taiwan can take advantage of the rise of Mainland China to further strengthen itself. But Chinese people on both sides of the Strait must stand together. We urge the government and the people of Taiwan to view the matter from a higher, more strategic level. We consider ourselves modern, civilized, rational Chinese. We have confidence in the soft power of Taiwan. Our attitude should be neither self-abnegating nor self-aggrandizing. Education and examinations can transform society, enlighten the public, and encourage identification with Chinese civilization. As proud Chinese people, both sides can participate in the process of modernization. This is the way to resolve cross-Strait issues.

中國時報社論--建構兩岸命運共同體的正確認知
http://www.cdnews.com.tw　2014-05-21 08:49:41
　中國時報21日社論--建構兩岸命運共同體的正確認知，全文如下：　

　 中越南海爭執引發越南民眾非理性抗議，排華活動波及眾多台商，造成嚴重的財產損失及人身安全威脅，政府已採取必要適切的措施以維護台商的權益，雖然媒體難 免對政府決策及外交部的作為多所抨擊，但多出於求全責備之心。此事的重點在於，面對越南蠻橫的反華行為，兩岸政權雖然不同，但同屬一中，都是華人的大是大 非卻不容混淆。東亞戰略格局日益複雜，中國大陸與相關國家關係的好與壞，台灣都將難以置身事外。

　幾個簡單的事實就可以說明事情的複雜程 度。中日台的釣魚台爭議，大陸主張兩岸共同維護主權，馬總統提出東海和平倡議，表明不與中國大陸合作，日本則企圖分裂兩岸合作的各種可能，迅速與我方簽署 漁業協定。對於南海紛爭，我國提出南海行為準則，各方雖然肯定，但我國又無法參與會議，而美方則試圖壓迫我方撤回九段線的立場，從而解構大陸主張的合法 性。假設未來台越雙方因為太平島發生軍事衝突，如果必須中共支援或在最壞的情況下出手相救，到時我方到底如何因應將是個頭痛的問題。

　本 報9日曾以〈讓中華民國成為凝聚的力量〉社論，呼籲朝野政黨及全國民眾團結起來，積極面對紛至沓來的各種挑戰；如今我們再以社論主張兩岸中國人攜手共行， 要從根本上建構兩岸命運共同體的認知。前者主要是處理制度與價值觀問題，後者則在處理民族感情及兩岸長遠關係問題。基於我們主張的合理性、必要性與前瞻 性，這裡面其實也就牽涉到戰略視野與戰術方法等問題，各方不妨思考，究竟中國大陸能夠做些什麼，台灣應該做些什麼，兩岸雙方是否又能共同合作，採取一些有 效的措施，讓這樣的主張能夠早日獲得實現。

　首先，既然馬英九是依《憲法》出任中華民國總統，他就應該依《憲法》行事，以追求國家統一為 職志，國民黨的不統、不獨、不武，維持現狀的作法只是便宜行事的權宜之計，就像陳長文先生所說，反對台獨不是一種信仰，不足以維繫民心與士氣，而且馬總統 既然堅信台灣是中華文明的傳承者，認為中華民國的存在與興隆昌盛是未來中國的資產，馬總統就應該恢復國統綱領及國統會，甚至重申以三民主義統一中國的立 場。馬總統其實也可以效法蔣經國先生當年所說，自己既是中國人也是台灣人，或至少自己是台灣人也是中國人，以生振聾發聵、移風易俗的作用。

雖說台灣民眾的自我認同發生變化，是時間發展下的自然趨勢，但政治人物，尤其是李扁二人的操弄更加速了異化發展；如今的客觀環境，台灣必須學習與大陸和平 相處，民進黨恐怕得先袪除恐共、反中情結，放棄分離主義主張，把政權和國家與民族區別對待。統一可以不是問題，但對統一的時機與條件則可有所堅持，台灣堅 持的是生活價值觀，反對的是不合理的體制，不接受的是不合理的條件，追求的是由競爭雙贏走向融合與統一。我們期望民進黨能夠認識到，中國是兩岸同胞共有的 中國，台灣人民也有權利和責任對中國的未來表示意見，民進黨切莫剝奪後代子孫到中國大陸發展的機會。

　再從中國大陸及兩岸的角度來看，要建構兩岸命運共同體的具體作法，當然是負面的話少說，負面的事少做，先把自己搞好，長期深耕不走短線；在對兩岸民眾極為關切的一些問題上，做出合情合理的具體安排與承諾，持續推動和平發展及兩岸一家親的友好政策。

　大陸甚至不妨考慮建立兩岸經濟示範區，規畫、說明統一的實質利益，著由不同的省分認領台灣的不同地區，建立具有實質意義的姊妹縣市關係，採取積極措施，盡早促成兩岸文化、教育協議的簽訂，增強台灣民眾對於中華文明的認同與身為中國人的自豪感。

　台灣可以利用中國大陸的崛起進一步壯大自己，但必須先站穩兩岸中國人的立場，我們要呼籲，台灣的政府與民眾要站在更高的戰略高度來看待問題，既 然我們自許為現代、文明、理性的中國人，對台灣的優勢和軟實力有信心，今天我們就該以不卑不亢的態度，透過教育、考試等社會化的過程來恢宏志氣，啟迪民 智，認同中華文明，自豪的以中國人的身分參與兩岸現代化的進程，才是解決兩岸問題之道。