Xi Jinping's Remarks: A Level-Headed Reading

Xi Jinping's Remarks: A Level-Headed Reading
China Times editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)
A Translation
September 30, 2014

Summary: One can advocate national reunification. One can advocate Taiwan independence. But everyone must understand that Taiwan is not Hong Kong. Hong Kong's sovereignty was transferred by the British to the People's Republic of China. Taiwan's sovereignty belongs to the Republic of China. As such, the ROC's existence and development is a given. Taiwan must respect itself. Only then can it win the respect of the other side. Putting one's future in the hands of others is not the way. What Taiwan needs is not independence, but self-reliance. It needs strength, not arrogance. It needs to cooperate with the Mainland, on behalf of national reunification, national rejuvenation, and the early realization of the Chinese Dream. That is the correct option.

Full Text Below:

On the 26th of this month, CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping addressed a delegation of nearly 60 individuals from 24 Taiwan-based groups that support peaceful reunification. His mention of the term "one country, two systems" attracted considerable attention and a range of interpretations. In fact, his remarks were the result of long planning. Beijing had a definite agenda. According to media reports and on scene participants, Xi's remarks can be interpreted several ways. Some say that peaceful development is the process, peaceful reunification is the goal, and one country will be the final result. Xi's remarks had a deeper meaning. Some think Xi merely reiterated past policy. Perhaps this means that Beijing's position on certain matters will change. Some feel his remarks revealed weakness, and were disappointed.

Other governments and Taipei are concerned about the term "one country, two systems." In recent years, Beijing has come to realize that there is no market for one country, two systems on Taiwan. The term has been stigmatized. As a result, when referring to the one China framework, Beijng does not use the term one country, two systems as often as it did before. During the current legislative session, the DPP demanded that the Ma Ying-jeou government take a stand on the matter. Foreign reporters also probled for Xi's meaning. Some on Taiwan think Beijing is saber-rattling, as a warning to the DPP. Some say Beijing is tightening up its policy towards Taiwan. They say Xi's remarks are closely related to the current situation in Hong Kong. Some think the situation is serious, and that Beijing intends to propose a timetable for reunification. People hold a wide range of views. One meeting, different interpretations.

General Secretary Xi's remarks to visitors had both symbolic and substantive meanings.

First consider the symbolic meaning. The CCP probably knows that given the current political and social clmate on Taiwan, advocating reunification, national prosperity, and national strength, is out of favor, and even actively suppressed. Beijing has deliberately greeted these guests in a high profile manner. It is offering them encouragement and support. It is hoping that they will continue to be a mainstay. It hopes the public on Taiwan will cherish the spirit of patriotism, which currently hangs by a thread. It hopes to strengthen those advocating reunification on Taiwan, and change the way people think, contributing to early reunification. The CCP naturally supports groups that advocate reunification. But care must be taken in future implementation. Excessive intervention in Taiwan's internal affairs will probably not be required, and could be adverse and counterproductive.

Now consider the substantive meaning. Beijing expressed its position full with Xi's remarks. In the past it has referred to the two sides being one family, to peaceful development, and to peaceful reunification as its basic policy. Beijing is not about to give up on national reunification. It is convinced that national reunification is the final destination for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait, and is in the best interests of the public on Taiwan. The two sides can cooperate, and achieve the Chinese Dream sooner, rather than later. General Secretary Xi used the term one country, two systems. But he also said Beijing would consider political realities on Taiwan. It would consider views and suggestions from all sectors. As long as it can achieve national reunification, everything can be discussed. He even reaffirmed Beijing's position regarding the DPP. Past conduct does not matter. As long as the DPP comes to its senses, bygones will be bygones. These were all reiterations of past policies. Overall, Xi Jinping's remarks expressed goodwill, patience, and tolerance. The Mainland faces a multitude of domestic and international challenges. Beijing has no intention of making significant adjustments to cross-Strait policy in the short term. 

Everyone on Taiwan, from top to bottom, considers one country, two systems unacceptable. Everyone knows why. In recent years, Beijing has made fewer references to one country, two systems. That does not mean that its basic position has changed. Xi's use of the term may have given people a start. But the Mainland's Taiwan policy remains within bounds. We have no cause to overreact. As far as the Republic of China is concerned, the pursuit of national reunification should not be a problem. The focus should be on the two sides' timing, manner, and preconditions for reunification. One country, two systems is far more relaxed than federalism. But in the face of the CCP's one country, two systems offensive, Taipei has three options. The best option for Taiwan and the rest of China, is to seek a more reasonable model for reunification. The next best option is to clarify the meaning of the term one country. It must be interpreted in a way more favorable to Taiwan. The worst option is to accept one country, two systems in part. This has not happened. If Taipei is eventually forced to accept one country, two systems as currently defined, that would not be reunification. That would be annihilation. Everyone in the ROC, from top to bottom, considers that totally unacceptable.

One can advocate national reunification. One can advocate Taiwan independence. But everyone must understand that Taiwan is not Hong Kong. Hong Kong's sovereignty was transferred by the British to the People's Republic of China. Taiwan's sovereignty belongs to the Republic of China. As such, the ROC's existence and development is a given. Taiwan must respect itself. Only then can it win the respect of the other side. Putting one's future in the hands of others is not the way. What Taiwan needs is not independence, but self-reliance. It needs strength, not arrogance. It needs to cooperate with the Mainland, on behalf of national reunification, national rejuvenation, and the early realization of the Chinese Dream. That is the correct option.

社論－平心靜氣 解讀習近平談話
2014年09月30日 04:09
本報訊

中共總書記習近平26日在接待台灣24個支持和平統一團體近60人的參訪團時，發表有關一國兩制的講話，引起各界廣泛重視與各種解讀。其實，這是一個經過長時間規畫的活動，北京自有其目的。由媒體的報導看來，即或是當時在場的參與者，對習的談話內容，也有不同的看法和觀察，有的同意，和平發展是進程，和平統一是目標，一國兩制則是最後結果，習的談話饒有深意。也有人認為，習仍是重申過去的政策基調，或許只是表明北京今後在某些具體事務上會有不同的作法，也有些人認為仍然軟弱，因此感到失落。

國際及台灣關切的重點都集中在「一國兩制」4個字上，因為近年以來，北京或知一國兩制在台並無市場，且已遭汙名化，所以多用一中框架而少用一國兩制，民進黨為此在國會提出質詢，要求馬英九政府表達立場，國際媒體也分別探詢其中意涵，國內有人認為北京是敲山震虎，意在警告民進黨，有人說是緊縮對台政策，而且顯與當前香港局勢有關，有人更認為事態嚴重非同小可，北京意在提出統一時間表，各式各樣的觀點不一而足，一次會面，各自解讀。

其實，習總書記接見訪賓，發表談話應該兼具形式意義與實質意義。

先就形式意義言，中共應該深知在當前台灣的政治，社會氛圍裡，主張國家統一，贊成民族富強的聲音與力量已經處於弱勢，甚至是是被打壓的，北京刻意以高規格，高調地加以接待，不無給予鼓勵及支持之意，希望他們持續扮演中流砥柱的角色，把台灣民眾愛國主義的傳統及精神不絕如縷的傳承下去，並能夠強化壯大台灣主張統一的聲音與力量，產生移風易俗的教化作用，促成國家統一的早日實現。中共表達支持統派團體的態度與立場自是理所當然，但未來在執行上必須謹慎拿捏分寸，應在不過度介入台灣內政前提下，把這種想法化為具體的行動，避免造成愛之適足以害之的反效果。

再說實質意義，透過這次談話，北京充分表達了立場，除了過去所說的兩岸一家親之外﹐和平發展、和平統一仍是大陸不變的基本國策，北京當然不會放棄追求國家統一的立場，堅信國家統一將是兩岸中國人最後歸宿，最符合台灣利益，兩岸可以合作，共同努力促成中國夢的早日實現。雖然習總書記使用了一國兩制的用語，但他也提到，會充分考慮台灣的現實情況，吸收各界的意見和建議，顯然只要能夠實現國家統一，一切都可商量，即使對民進黨也還重申，不管過去如何如何，只要幡然悔悟都能既往不咎，這一切都是過去政策的延續。整體來說，習近平的談話是善意、耐心與包容的，如果我們再把大陸當前面臨的國內外挑戰考慮進去，若說北京無意在短期內做出兩岸政策的重大調整應不為過。

台灣上下拒絕接受一國兩制的原由，大家知之甚詳。北京近年雖然少提，但並不表示此一基本立場有所改變。換句話說，即使習的談話讓人感到突兀，但仍在大陸對台政策的合理範圍之內，大家委實不必反應過度。就中華民國而言，追求國家統一其實不應該是個問題，兩岸系爭的重點應是統一的時機、方式與條件，雖說一國兩制的部分內容遠較聯邦制更為寬鬆，但在面對中共一國兩制的攻勢時，台灣應有上中下三策，上策是為了台灣與中國的未來，找到一個更合理的統一模式，中策是不斷充實一國兩制的內容，將其作出對台灣最為有利的解釋與發展，下策則是接受有一國兩制的部分實質內容，但沒有此一名詞的出現。如果台灣最後被時勢所迫接受現行的一國兩制，那就不是統一而是滅亡，中華民國上上下下是萬萬不能接受的。

無論主張國家統一或支持台灣獨立，都必須理解，台灣不是香港，香港主權是由英國轉交中華人民共和國，台灣主權屬於中華民國。因此，中華民國的存在與發展才是根本。台灣唯有自尊而後才能贏得對岸的尊重，把自己的前途寄託在別人不確定的善意上絕非正辦。台灣要在自立但不獨立、自強但不自大的基礎上與中國大陸合作，共同為國家的統一、民族的復興及中國夢的早日實現而共同努力，這才是正確的選擇。