Cross-Strait Framework: The Big Roof Concept of China

Cross-Strait Framework: The Big Roof Concept of China
United Daily News (Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)
A Translation
March 1, 2013

This book sums up our talking points on cross-Strait policy. It is entitled, "The Big Roof Concept of China."

The authorities on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have reached an impasse on China's reunification. The authorities in Beijing want to reunify China. But they have been unable to do so because the authorities in Taipei are unwilling.

But is reunification the only cross-Strait goal? Prior to reunification, can the two sides set for ourselves another goal? Is it possible to establish a situation under which the two sides are "neither reunified, nor divided?" Is reunification the highest goal? Is there no goal higher than reunification?

Breaking Out of the Box, Seeking Intelligent Solutions

We must break out of the box. We must consider the problems. Cross-Strait relations are a peculiar development in human history. They require complex, sophisticated, and extraordinary political and economic solutions. They require solutions that satisfy both hearts and minds.

This book attempts to set forth one possible solution. More importantly, it attempts to stimulate peoples' imagination. It attempts to seek a solution for cross-Strait problems that will merit inclusion in mankind's glorious history.

Perhaps someone has a better solution. But the solution we wish to set forth is the Big Roof Concept of China.

The Big Roof Concept of China

Under the Big Roof Concept of China, the Republic of China is democratic China, and the People's Republic of China is socialist China. Both are part of China. Both belong under the same Big Roof Concept of China. Both share undivided sovereignty and an undivided interest in one China.

Twenty Big Roof China Talking Points

The content and significance of the Big Roof Concept of China can be summed up in Twenty Big Roof China Talking Points.

1. The Preface of the Amended Constitution of the Republic of China states that "In response to the needs of the nation prior to reunification... the provisions of the Constitution have been amended." The Political Report of the 18th CCP Peoples Congress calls for "Exploring cross-Strait political relations under special circumstances in which the nation has yet to be reunified, and making fair and reasonable arrangements." The two propositions, "the nation prior to reunification," and "the nation has yet to be reunified," overlap. This is where the "Big Roof Concept of China" applies.

2. So-called "fair and reasonable arrangements" are subsumed under the Big Roof Concept of China.

The CCP 18th National Congress Political Report agrees.

3. The Chinese Communist Party's 18th National Congress Political Report states, "Although it has yet to be reunified, it remains one China." It calls for "exploring cross-strait political relations under special circumstances in which the two sides have yet to be reunified." Its logic differs little from the Big Roof Concept of China. One could simply change the title.

4. Under the Big Roof Concept of China, the Republic of China is democratic China, and the People's Republic of China is socialist China. Both are part of China. Both belong under the same Big Roof Concept of China. This framework falls within the scope of the One China Principle. It can even be considered an upgraded version of One China, Different Interpretations.

5. The Big Roof Concept of China is the only cross-Strait solution that does not require "me swallowing up you, or you swallowing up me." Using the Big Roof Concept of China's linkage points, one can establish political relations under special circumstances in which the two sides have yet to be reunified. The two sides can lighten the reunification vs. independence burden. The two sides can improve their internal and external governance. The Big Roof Concept of China ensures against leaders on either side seeking irrational, uncivilized solutions to cross-Strait problems.

For Taiwan, The Big Roof Concept of China Can Reduce Internal Friction over Taiwan Independence

6. For Taiwan, the Big Roof Concept of China can reduce internal friction over Taiwan independence. Taiwan independence is no longer possible. Clamoring for Taiwan independence is nothing more than internal friction. The Constitution of the Republic of China allows for "responses to national unity" under "yet to be reunified cross-Strait political conditions." These constitutional provisions include the signing of a peace agreement. The Republic of China under the Big Roof Concept of China, can give the two sides greater maneuvering room, both for cross-Strait and international relations. It can enable Taiwan to upgrade its political and economic system. Taipei can provide checks and balances on Beijing. It need only maintain its party politics and electoral system. It can then use its democratic institutions to moderate Beijing's actions.

7. In fact, some DPP moderates hope the Ma administration can make a breakthrough in cross-Strait relations. That way, in the event the DPP returns to power, it can more easily "continue the previous administration's cross-Strait policy."

The Big Roof Concept of China can Liberate Beijing from its Commitments

8. For the Mainland, the Big Roof Concept of China can provide relief from Taiwan independence pressures. Beijing can lighten its burden of preventing Taiwan independence, as well as its burden of promoting reunification. It can liberate itself from its commitments. This can significantly reduce the political risk of the Taiwan problem. This would be beneficial to both its internal and external governance.

The Big Roof Concept of China can Provide a Positive Example for 1.3 billion People on the Mainland

9. Beijing's willingness to rebuild cross-Strait relations under the Big Roof Concept of China would set a positive example. It would demonstrate internal and external respect for liberal democracy. Beijing's refusal to use military or political and economic blackmail against Taipei, would mean that the CCP elites have set high standards for themselves. It would mean that the Chinese Communist Party appreciates the value of democracy. It would set a positive example for 1.3 billion Chinese on the mainland. It would correct the course of China's development. Conversely, if the Republic of China was swallowed up by the People's Republic of China before achieving a certain degree of democracy, those democratic Chinese elements could be lost forever.

The Big Roof Concept of China offers a Practicable Ultimate Solution and Interim Solution

10. The Big Roof Concept of China could be the ultimate solution. Examples include a confederation or the EU model. It could also be an interim solution. The Big Roof Concept of China does not rule out reunification. It merely stipulates that if one seeks reunification, the Big Roof Concept of China ought to be the interim solution. Under the Big Roof Concept of China, the two sides can confront and cope with the problems of reunification. They can ensure that cross-Strait relations adopt a reasonable process in order to arrive at a more reasonable goal.

The Big Roof Concept of China can Encourage the Public on Taiwan to Acknowledge their Chinese Identity

11. Under the Big Roof Concept of China, the Republic of China is democratic China. It is part of China. This will encourage the public on of Taiwan to re-identify with China, and re-acknowledge that they are Chinese. It will contribute to long term growth and development.

The Big Roof Concept of China can Provide Flexibility in International Affairs

12. The Big Roof Concept of China can provide flexibililty in international affairs, such as the Diaoyutai Islands conflict.

13. Chiang Ching-kuo lifted martial law and allowed people to visit their Mainland relatives. This linked cross-strait exchanges with Taiwan's democratic institutions. Deng Xiaoping implemented "one country, two systems." This resolved the Hong Kong retrocession crisis. The Big Roof Concept of China has gained widespread acceptance on both sides of the Strait. All it needs is someone with the stature of a Chiang Ching-kuo or Deng Xiaoping to promote it.

The Big Roof Concept of China can help the Two Sides Jettison the Phony Issue of "Reunification vs. Independence"

14. The two sides are mired in a phony issue -- "reunification vs. independence." In fact, reunification is impracticable. Independence is impossible. Leaders must use the Big Roof Concept of China to liberate people from this dilemma. They must liberate them from this agony, this injustice, this unusual cruelty.

15. Most importantly, cross-Strait relations is an unprecedented political problem. It demands a wise and sensitive solution. The solution should honor human civilization. It should be a happy event in China's history. It must not be an event that dishonors human civilization. It must not be a tragic chapter in China's history. Only such a solution can be termed a "Renaissance of the Chinese nation."

Coercing Outsiders and Deceiving Insiders is not Genuine Nationalism

16. As matters stand, the Republic of China can accept the People's Republic of China as socialist China. The problem is the People's Republic of China is unwilling to accept the Republic of China as democratic China. The solution is for both sides to acknowledge the "special circumstances" that prevail, and see them as the Big Roof Concept of China. Over a century of catastrophes was the price paid for the blessings of history and civilization. They should be cherished. We must not attempt to swallow up each other. Alas, the People's Republic of China has used foreign nations and foreign diplomacy to blockade democratic China. It is attempting to swallow up democracratic China. It is using foreign nations to bully fellow Chinese. Bullying the weak is not true nationalism. It is the way warlords conduct themselves. This is not the face one should present to human civilization. Still less is this the face one should to present to China's history. Otherwise, one will destroy civilization and leave a stain on history.

The Definition of Sovereignty Can Change Over Time

17. The Big Roof Concept of China is an innovative concept of sovereignty. Sovereignty is fundamentally a human artifice. Its meaning and shape can change over time. For example, why were East and West Germany able to see each other not as foreign countries? Why can today's EU have, on top of the member states' constitutions, the EU constitution? The Big Roof Concept of China is a creative new concept of sovereignty. Why allow outdated concepts of sovereignty to trump the Big Roof Concept of China? As long as the two sides accept in principle the Big Roof Concept of China, the legal details will not be that difficult to work out.

A Powerful China Should be Tolerant

18. The People's Republic of China is one of major powerhouses in the world. It has immense national strength. It should be tolerant toward the democratic Republic of China. It should be responsible and inclusive. It should to offer a solution worthy of human civilization and China's history. It must not commit a major blunder unworthy of civilization and history. The Big Roof Concept of China is simple. Neither side swallows the other side up. Only that is befitting of a large and civilized country. Only that shows the world what China is.

The Common Man's China, Uphold the Consensus, No One Swallows Up the Other

19. Under the Big Roof Concept of China, Taiwan should attempt to persuade Chinese the world over, especially 1.3 billion on the Mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao, to accept the proposition that "The Republic of China is democratic China." This "common man's understanding of China" is Taiwan's most important guarantee under the One China Principle. Democratic China can become a universal political symbol  and shared political philosophy. When that happens, given concern among Chinese people the world over, who would have the heart, who would dare to swallow up this Chinese republic?

A One China in which Sovereignty is Indivisible and Shared

20. Finally, let us return to the issue first raised. "What do we do when we cannot reunify?" This is not a refusal to reunify or a rejection of reunification. But reunification cannot be rushed. It may take a long time. It may require a great deal of groundwork. It may require a platform upon which one can slowly and deliberately work out the details. This will enable symbiotic, win/win cross-Strait relations under special circumstances in which the two sides have yet to be reunified. If one does not want reunification to become synonymous with separatism, one should invoke the Big Roof Concept of China. One should invoke a One China that combines the two sides' indivisible and shared sovereignty. This will create cross-Strait political relations under special circumstances in which the two sides have yet to be reunified. What other way is there?

兩岸大架構：大屋頂下的中國
【聯合報╱黃　年】 2013.03.01

本書是一部嘗試性的兩岸政策說帖，帖名：大屋頂中國。

兩岸卡在「統一」議題上。北京想統，統不成；台灣不想統。

統一是否兩岸唯一的目的？在統一前，能不能另有一個目的？有無可能「既未統一／又不分裂」？統一是否最好的目的？有沒有比統一更好的目的？

擺脫條條框框 找到智慧答案

應當擺脫條條框框，想一想這些問題。兩岸關係是人類歷史上僅見的奇特、複雜、精細又重大無比的政經工程，它值得爭取到一個充滿智慧與感情的答案。

本書是在嘗試提出一個可能的答案，但更重要的是在激發任何人的想像力，共同為兩岸問題尋找一個足可在人類歷史文明上輝煌不朽的解答。

那麼，也許就會有人作出更好的答案。在此我想嘗試提出的方案是：大屋頂中國。

大屋頂中國：

在大屋頂中國下，
中華民國是民主中國，
中華人民共和國是社會主義中國；
二者皆是一部分的中國，
同屬「一個（大屋頂）中國」，
亦即「兩岸主權相互含蘊並共同合成的一個中國」。

大屋頂中國說帖二十條

試就「大屋頂中國」的內涵與理由作一歸納整理，可稱為「大屋頂中國說帖二十條」：

一、《中華民國憲法》增修條款序文開宗明義指出，「為因應國家統一前之需要……增修本憲法條文如左」，與中共十八大政治報告所稱「探討國家尚未統一特殊情況下兩岸政治關係，作出合情合理的安排」，其中，在「國家統一前」與「國家尚未統一」二者，當有交集，應是「大屋頂中國」可以發揮之處。

二、所謂「合情合理的安排」，莫過於「大屋頂中國」。

中共十八大報告 理路幾相同

三、中共十八大政治報告所總結的「雖然尚未統一／仍是一個中國」，及「探討尚未統一特殊情況下的兩岸政治關係」，其理路與「大屋頂中國」幾無二致，幾乎只消換一個標題，即可順理成章。

四、在大屋頂中國下，中華民國是民主中國，中華人民共和國是社會主義中國，二者皆是一部分的中國，同屬「一個大屋頂中國」。此一架構，本在「一個中國原則」的範圍之內，甚至也是「一中各表」或「一國兩制」的升級版。

五、大屋頂中國應是唯一不是「我吃掉你，你吃掉我」的兩岸方案。有了「大屋頂中國」的「連結點」，建立「尚未統一特殊情況下的政治關係」，兩岸應可減輕統獨的牽絆，各自致力於內外治理的改善。「大屋頂中國」是防制兩岸主政者以非理性、反文明的方法作為兩岸解決方案的保險設計。

對台灣 可減少台獨的內耗

六、對台灣言，可以減少台獨的內耗；因台獨已無可能，內耗而已。在「為因應國家統一前需要」的中華民國憲法下，經營「尚未統一的兩岸政治關係」，如簽定和平協議，乃合憲的作為。大屋頂中國下的中華民國，在兩岸間及國際上當有較大的空間，得以改善台灣的政經品質。至於台灣對北京當局的制衡，只要維持政黨政治及選舉制度，即可用民主體制以相節制。

七、其實，有些民進黨內的理智者，心中巴望馬政府在兩岸多作出一些突破，則民進黨若再執政，即可「延續前朝兩岸政策」。

北京 免陷於「承諾的陷阱」

八、對大陸言，在大屋頂中國下，應可緩解「台獨」的因素；北京既可減輕「防獨」的承當，又可減輕「促統」的負荷，更免陷於「承諾的陷阱」。如此，台灣問題成為北京政治風險的可能性應可大幅降低，有益其內外治理。

對十三億大陸人民 正向示範

九、北京願以「大屋頂中國」重建兩岸關係，對內對外皆是宣示對於自由民主體制之尊重；而北京不採軍事或政經暴力挾制台灣，將被視為中共統治階層表達了最深刻的自期自勉，顯示中共對「民主中國」的價值知所珍惜，這對十三億中國大陸人民應是正向的示範，亦可導正中國的發展方向。反之，倘若中華民國在中華人民共和國實現一定程度的民主體制前，被中華人民共和國「吃掉」，則中國即可能永遠失去「民主中國」的元素。

可做終極方案 也可中程方案

十、「大屋頂中國」可以做為終極方案（如：邦聯、歐盟模式），但也可做為「中程方案」。「大屋頂中國」並未排除統一；只是認為，若欲「統一」，應以「大屋頂中國」為「中程方案」；在「大屋頂中國」的平台上，兩岸可進一步共同面對並處理「統一」的問題。如此，始能確保兩岸關係「從合理的過程，到改善之目的」。

有助台灣人民的「中國」認同

十一、在「大屋頂中國」中，中華民國為民主中國，是一部分的中國；可使台灣人民的「中國」與「中國人」認同，得到成長與發展的憑藉。

對國際事務的肆應 更加靈動

十二、「大屋頂中國」對國際事務如釣魚台事件的肆應，當更加靈動有力。

十三、蔣經國的「解嚴／探親」政策，使兩岸交流與民主體制交纏，鄧小平的「一國兩制」化解了香港的回歸危機。「大屋頂中國」的思想早在兩岸間流傳發展，所欠只是一「蔣經國」或「鄧小平」的傑出人物而已。

兩岸跳出「統／獨」假議題

十四、兩岸陷於「統／獨」的假議題中，其實卻是統不得，獨不成；領袖人物若不能以「大屋頂中國」帶領民眾跳出此一困境，徒使人民陷於輾轉痛苦，殊是殘民以逞，不仁不義。

十五、最重要的是，兩岸關係這個亙古無二的政治難題，值得一個充滿智慧與感情的答案。應使成為人類文明的光榮，與中國歷史的喜劇；不可使之淪為人類文明的恥辱，與中國歷史的悲劇。如此，始可言「中華民族的偉大復興」。

挾外欺內 不是真正民族主義

十六、以當前的情勢，中華民國應可接受中華人民共和國為社會主義中國，問題在中華人民共和國不願接受中華民國為民主中國。化解之道，在於雙方皆應將「特殊情況」的現狀，視為在「大屋頂中國」下經歷百餘年劫難而換得的歷史及文明的恩典與機遇，該當相互珍惜，而勿「誰吃掉誰」。然而，如今在國際上，中華人民共和國挾制外國以外交圍堵封殺「民主中國」；在兩岸之內，亦欲吃掉「民主中國」。這是挾外欺內，恃強凌弱，不是真正的民族主義，而只是軍閥作風；此非面對人類文明的應有高度，更非面對中國歷史的應有器識。否則，勢將毀了文明，亦汙染了歷史。

主權內涵形貌 可因時空改變

十七、「大屋頂中國」涉及主權理念的創新發明，唯主權原本就是一個人造物，其內涵與形貌可因時空遞嬗而改變姿采。例如，過去東西德何以能互視為「不是外國的國家」？而今日歐盟又怎會在各會員國的憲法之上，另有歐盟憲法？主權理念的創新若能維繫「大屋頂中國」的完整，即何必用「主權」去分裂「大屋頂中國」？只要兩岸在原則上接納「大屋頂中國」，細節的法制規劃皆不難設想。

強大「中國」 應表現包容涵納

十八、中華人民共和國已是世界數一數二的強國大國，以如此豐厚的綜合國力，在面對民主中國中華民國時，應當表現出包容涵納的能力，並承當起包容涵納的責任；亦即應當拿出對人類文明與中國歷史皆可交代的方法，不可在文明及歷史上犯下不可交代的錯誤。由於「大屋頂中國」不是「吃掉」那麼簡單，這才是大國與文明國的應有承當與氣度，亦是「中國」可給世界文明的示範。

「庶民中國」獲共識 誰敢吃掉

十九、台灣應當在「大屋頂中國」下，努力爭取全球華人，尤其是十三億大陸及港澳人民，協助並接受「中華民國是民主中國」的立場；這樣的「庶民中國」共識，才是台灣在「一個中國原則」下最重要的支撐與保障。當「民主中國」成為一個通用的「政治符號」，與共惜的「政治理念」，在全球華人的關懷下，誰忍、誰敢「吃掉」這個「中華」的「民國」？

主權相互含蘊共同合成的一個中國

二十、最後可回到文首提出的問題：「統一不了，該怎麼辦？」不是否定統一或排除統一，但統一已是一個無法快、快不得，可能拖很久、磨很久的課題，必須有一慢工出細活的平台，以便兩岸關係在「尚未統一的特殊情況」下共生雙贏。若不欲「統一」成為「分裂」的同義詞，除了進入「大屋頂中國」，除了進入「兩岸主權相互含蘊並共同合成的一個中國」，並藉以營造「尚未統一特殊情況下的兩岸政治關係」，豈有他法？