Trust between the People: The Foundation for Cross-Strait Relations

Trust between the People: The Foundation for Cross-Strait Relations 
China Times Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, ROC) 
A Translation 
June 17, 2016

Executive Summary: One cannot establish trust among people overnight.  But cross-Strait relations and trust among ordinary people has far-reaching significance. As the saying goes, "Deep roots enable a tree to live long". If trust between people cannot be established, then trust between governments will be impossible. Cross-Strait relations are currently in deep water. A key reason is insufficient trust at the grassroots level. This is the reason for the lack of momentum.

Full Text Below:

The "Straits Forum" convened in Xiamen on the 12th as scheduled. Cross-Strait relations are now in a state of "Cold Confrontation". The convening of the forum however, sent several positive signals. First, cross-Strait relations remain on track. They remain sustainable. The channels for communication and consultations between MAC and the SEF, and between ARATS and the Taiwan Affairs Office have been admittedly been interrupted. But the Straits Forum was held as usual. This means that fundamentally, Mainland policy has not changed as a result of political changes on Taiwan. Second, the Mainland dealings with Taiwan have changed, from "official" to "unofficial". Both Mainland CPPCC Chairman Yu Zhengsheng and Taiwan political party leaders were present at the meeting. They will continue promoting non-governmental exchanges. Third, cross-Strait private sector cooperation is being expanded. This year the forum agenda covers issues relating to youth, the public interest, community, science and technology, meteorology, and think tank exchanges. The surfeit of projects underscores the potential for cross-Strait private sector cooperation.

The Straits Forum was born of the need for cross-Strait communications. Eight years of work at the grass roots level has enabled hundreds of thousands of people to understand each other better, develop friendships, and discover affinities. Political party exchanges may be frozen, but the forum retains its vitality. It adopts a private sector approach. This suits the Mainland, which seeks to increase cross-Strait economic and social integration, and narrow the distance between hearts and minds. It also addresses the need for increased private sector trust amidst a lack of government trust.

Over the past 30 years, cross-Strait exchanges have increased. But cross-Strait trust has not increased accordingly. Mainland demands for reunification have never changed. But the two sides' values, societies, and political systems remain different. Doubts about the sustainability of differing economic models persist. The rise of the Mainland has led to a "I call the shots" mindset toward Taiwan. The Sunflower Student Movement and opposition to the STA revealed how differently people on the two sides perceive cross-Strait cooperation. Public reaction toward Taiwan on the Mainland also varies widely. Taiwan scam artists operating out of Kenya sparked heated debate on the Mainland. As one online comment put it, "Taiwan's boast that its greatest tourist attraction is her people is a lie”. Mainland discontent with Taiwan was also in evidence when Mainlanders broke through the Great Firewall and left comments on Taiwan Facebook pages.

People on both sides of the Strait have the cultural roots. The same blood flows through their veins. The only difference is their historical perception. Prolonged isolation has left the two sides unable to share the same experience, still less create a common history. The inevitable result has been some degree of alienation. Their perceptions, feelings, and values differ. Taken as a whole, they have a "You and I are different" feeling. Cross-Strait information exchange is hampered by geography and government and media inertia. These limitations result in isolation and distorted information. People on the two sides have trouble understanding who their real enemy is. Politicians incite political divisions, making trust among people difficult.

One cannot establish trust among people overnight.  But cross-Strait relations and trust among ordinary people has far-reaching significance. As the saying goes, "Deep roots enable a tree to live long". If trust between people cannot be established, then trust between governments will be impossible. Cross-Strait relations are currently in deep water. A key reason is insufficient trust at the grassroots level. This is the reason for the lack of momentum.

Breaking through the current dilemma requires bottom-up support. Shared living experiences and a shared history contribute to mutual trust and the creation of a shared cross-Strait destiny. The Straits Forum offers a model. It focuses on youth and the grassroots. It highlights the sharing of experiences. This new form of cross-Strait dialogue links young entrepreneurs. It enabled Jingdong Group CEO Liu Qiangdong and Taiwan Phison Chairman Pan Chien-Cheng to provide employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, and to fulfill their shared dream of a platform for exchanges. Livelihood-related topics include a Fujian FTA, the construction of a "Marine Silk Road", community governance, and public service activities. All of these involve in depth, shared experiences and opportunities for cooperation between industry on both sides.

Without communication there can be no trust. Only in depth exchanges can establish shared memories and develop mutual trust. Addressing the future cross-strait development, Yu Zhengsheng said the more complex relations are between the two sides, the more people must communicate.

KMT Vice Chairman Hu, Hualien County Chief Fu Kun-chi and others also addressed the forum. Ordinary people on both sides are the most powerful promoters of cross-Strait relations, they said. People to people exchanges must be increased.

Regarding information distortions, think tanks and the media must play a larger role. They are the channel by which people on the two sides can understand each other. The two sides must build mutual trust through media interaction. They must objectively and impartially communicate information. This will build cross-Strait trust at the grassroots level. Exchanges among think tanks can fill the void left by interrupted political party exchanges. They can communicate real intentions, reduce misunderstandings, and offer constructive suggestions.

Establishing a shared identity among the younger generation will take longer. The wider the door is opened, the more opportunities there will be for interaction. The more extensive the interactions, the more cross-Strait trust will grow. But all this depends on official mobilization of private sector forces. Official cross-Strait relations have been interrupted. High-level party officials must be more open minded. They must keep the common people in mind. They must respect their wishes. The must devote their energy and resources to cross-Strait exchanges among young people, for they are the basis for long-term cross-Strait peace and goodwill.

深化民間互信是兩岸基礎工程
2016年06月17日 中國時報

「兩岸海峽論壇」12日如期在廈門舉行，在兩岸關係進入「冷對抗」情勢下，此次論壇的召開傳遞了幾個訊號：一是兩岸關係仍在可持續發展的軌道上，兩會、陸委會與國台辦常態化溝通機制與協商管道雖告中斷，海峽論壇照常舉辦，表示大陸對台大政方針未因台灣政局變化而變化。二是大陸對台工作模式調整，由「官」轉「民」。大陸政協主席俞正聲、台灣政黨領袖均出席大會，將共同致力推動民間交流。三是兩岸民間合作領域擴大。今年論壇議程涵蓋青年、公益、社區、科技、氣象、智庫交流，專案之豐富凸顯兩岸民間合作面廣闊，且可發掘的潛力巨大。

海峽論壇應兩岸關係而生，8年間深耕兩岸基層，數十萬兩岸民眾由此增進了解、加深情誼，展現親和力與生命力，在兩岸政黨交流「急凍」情境下，仍展現出巨大活力。走民間道路，契合大陸現階段「深化兩岸經濟社會融合發展，拉近同胞心靈距離」思路，也切合化解兩岸「政治互信不足，民間互信待提升」的需要。

30多年來，兩岸互動雖然漸趨頻繁，但互信水準卻未升至相應高度。大陸對台灣堅持統一從未鬆動，兩岸價值觀、社會運作模式與政治制度都有一段差距，對經濟模式的可持續性又存有疑慮，加上大陸崛起後社會反向瀰漫的「台灣我最大」氛圍。太陽花反服貿就體現出民間社會對兩岸合作的認知落差，大陸民間社會對台灣也出現多樣情緒。肯亞事件在大陸民間引發熱議，網路媒體上出現「台灣最美的風景是騙人」等言論，大陸「帝吧出征」台灣，論戰中對立情緒也可見一斑。

兩岸血脈相通、文化同根，但歷史記憶大不同。兩岸因長期隔絕，未能分享相同的經驗，更未創造共同歷史，積蓄了一定的反向力量，彼此的認知、情感和價值不同，社會運作亦有別，聚在一起，容易有「你和我不同」的感覺。兩岸資訊交流受到地理、政府管理及傳播機構慣性等因素限制，造成相互封閉、訊息扭曲等現象，兩岸民眾非常不容易全面了解真實的對方，加上政治人物操縱政治對立，民間互信自然十分困難。

建立民間互信非一日之功，但民間互信對兩岸關係發展有深遠意義。「柢固則生長，根深則樹久」，民間互信若不能建立，上層互動乃至互信建立則更加艱難。當前兩岸關係進入深水區，重要原因亦在於兩岸民間層面社會支援度不夠，動力不足。

突破當前困境，需要自下而上的力量支撐。創造共同生活的經歷乃至共同歷史記憶才能有助於互信，繼而建設兩岸命運共同體。此次海峽論壇做出典範，側重青年和基層，突出體驗式交流。新增的兩岸青年企業家對話環節，提供了京東集團首席執行官劉強東與台灣群聯電子董事長潘健成等就兩岸青年就業創業、共圓夢想深入交流的平台。有關民生話題，從福建自貿區、「海絲」建設，到社區治理、公益活動，都有深度參與環節，兩岸業界共用經驗和機遇，對口合作。

沒有交流就沒有互信，有了深度交流才能建立起共同的記憶，就可以培養互信。俞正聲在海峽論壇中談及兩岸未來發展時表示，兩岸愈複雜，民眾愈須交流。

國民黨副主席胡志強、花蓮縣縣長傅崐萁等也在發言中表示，兩岸民眾是兩岸關係發展最有力的推動者，應當大力加強兩岸民眾交流。

針對兩岸資訊扭曲問題，智庫和媒體可以扮演更重要角色。作為兩岸民眾了解彼此的最主要管道，兩岸媒體應通過互動交流建立互信，客觀、公正地溝通兩岸，建立起兩岸民間互信的基礎。智庫交流則可以補位當前政黨交流的空缺，溝通彼此真正意圖，減少誤判，並提出建設性建議。

青年一代建立認同需要更長的時間，兩岸之門開得越多，雙向進入的機會越多，交流的領域越廣，兩岸互信就會得到根本的增長。但這一切都有賴兩岸官方更多的擘畫，調動民間力量廣泛參與。當此兩岸官方關係中斷之際，格外需要兩岸政黨高層放寬格局，以蒼生為念，順民心而行，把精力、資源更多的投向兩岸青年的民間往來，長期奠基兩岸和平，是為仁、智也。