Mutual Trust Essential to Cross-Strait Peace

Mutual Trust Essential to Cross-Strait Peace
China Times editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)
A Translation
March 20, 2013

Summary: We are pleased to see the Mainland successfully complete its generational power transfer. We are optimistic about the vision set forth by the new leaders. Can the two sides establish a new and improved relationship? The establishment of a long-lasting framework for cross-Strait relations is a common dream for people on both sides.

Full Text below:

In November of last year, the CCP held its 18th National Congress. A new generation of Mainland leaders assumed power. This was a vast intergenerational political undertaking. The 12th National People's Congress recently adjourned. Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang were elected President and Premier. The fifth generation leadership system was officially launched.

Overall, the transfer of power proceeded smoothly. The personnel arrangements for the highest positions reflect increased institutionalization. This includes Liu Yunshan, who was twice elected senior member of the seventh session of the Politburo, as well as Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli, who were successfully promoted to the Standing Committee. Junior members such as Li Yuanchao and Wang Yang were assigned to important positions in state organs. They may assume greater responsibility in the future.

Consider policy. Most of the system reforms have left people wanting more. Mainland reforms have now reached the deep end of the pool. Resistance from all manner of special interests, for power or money, will only increase. The new Premier Li Keqiang told reporters that finance, banking, consumer prices, budget reform, and social justice are the most serious grievances. They are the most pressing problems. They are the ones in most urgent need of reform. They will sson test the new leaders' wisdom and determination.

Consider major policies related to cross-strait relations. Li Keqiang declared that the new government would fulfill all the commitments made by the previous one. It would seek new ways to promote cooperation. It would clarify the current status of cross-strait relations. The two sides have finalized their official appointments. Can they consolidate their gains and carry on from here? This is surely what the ruling and opposition parties hope to do.

Xi Jinping spoke during the closing session of the NPC. Nine times he mentioned reform and innovation in order to realize the Chinese dream. Regarding cross-Strait relations, Xi Jinping called on compatriots on both sides to work to support maintain, and promote cross-Strait peace. He gave voice to what most people are feeling. Peace, prosperity, and dignity must be the highest values in cross-Strait exchanges. People on both sides should work together toward this dream.

Li Keqiang stressed the importance of a common cross-Strait homeland. The MAC responded, saying that the Republic of China is our country, and Taiwan is our home. This more specific formulation addressed the issue of legal sovereignty. The two sides share culture and kinship. But some people on Taiwan have reservations about the term "common homeland." The reason is a lack of mutual trust. Therefore increasing mutual trust is imperative for new leaders on both sides of the Strait.

The two sides once differed in their values and belief systems. The two sides had profound doubts about reunification and independence, as well about the use of force. An imbalance in military might and diplomatic influence alienated the two sides from each other. It made mutual trust difficult. But since 2008 exchanges substantially increased. Dialogue not confrontation has enhanced mutual trust. But new structural imbalances and a crisis in confidence have led to new doubts. These have obstructed progress in bilateral relations.

Mainland China has emerged as a political and economic powerhouse. Taiwan investment in Mainland China and market dependence has increased. The discrepancy in military might and economic strength has widened. Taiwan is increasingly isolated from international economic activity and trade. It faces marginalization. These factors have all contributed to a cross-Strait structural imbalance. Consider the loss of self-confidence. The institutionalization of cross-strait exchanges has enhanced mutual trust. But doubts have increased over the Mainland's use of economic and trade factors to promote reunification.

Curren relations across the Strait are relatively stable. The progress made has been encouraging. The next two sessions will complete the signing of ECFA and the establishment of ECFA offices. Increased institutionalization will increase mutual trust. It will balance cross-Strait exchanges. For example, the influx of Mainland capital is increasing. Mainland tourist numbers are increasing. These may establish a more secure foundation for mutual trust. Terms such as "lu sheng" (Mainland students) and "lu pei" (Mainland spouses) have negative connotations. Eliminating such negative connotations can ensure their rights and improve their treatment. Trust between the two sides will provide a new impetus.

The structural imbalance and crisis in confidence have occured just as expectations for cross-Strait exchanges were rising. This has made the problem more difficult. This newspaper addressed the problem in its March 1 editorial. It said high-level dialogue between the two sides should focus on the East Asian regional situation. The editorial recalled KMT Honorary Chairman Lien Chan's visit to the Mainland. Lien addressed such issues as balance, equality, and a workable political framework. These can aid cooperation in international trade.

We reiterate our previous recommendations. Taiwan has not been able to take part in the new regional economic liberalization and regionalization. As a result, this has become the main obstacle to increased trust. The fundamental contradiction must be satisfactorily resolved. Until then, other political issues will be difficult to promote. The government must broaden channels of communication. It must help people understand that cross-Strait political agreements do not necessarily mean reunification. They are merely conducive to stability in the Strait.

We are pleased to see the Mainland successfully complete its generational power transfer. We are optimistic about the vision set forth by the new leaders. Can the two sides establish a new and improved relationship? The establishment of a long-lasting framework for cross-Strait relations is a common dream for people on both sides.
   
中時電子報 新聞
中國時報 　2013.03.20
社論－構築兩岸和平夢想 提升互信當務之急
本報訊

    　去年十一月召開的中共十八大，開啟了中國大陸新一代領導人的權力承傳，此一跨世代的巨大政治工程，在日前第十二屆全國人大會議閉幕後宣告完成，習近平和李克強順利當選國家主席和國務院總理，第五代領導體制正式啟動。

    　總體而言，這次的權力承傳相當順利，最高權力機關的人事安排，體現了更多的制度化趨勢，包括十七屆政治局中曾任兩屆的資深委員如劉雲山、王岐山、張高麗順利晉升常委，而資歷較淺的委員如李源潮和汪洋，則擔任國家機關重要職位，未來有可能肩負更大的責任。

    　在政策方面，大部制的改革雖讓人有意猶未盡之感，顯示當前大陸的改革已進入深水區，權錢糾結的各式利益集團抗改的阻力只會愈來愈大。新任總理李克強在記者會上提出財政、金融、價格、預算制度以及社會公正方面的改革，都是大陸民怨最深也最急需改革的迫切問題，如何啟動變革，勢將考驗新領導人的智慧及決心。

    　至於事關兩岸的大政方針，李克強聲稱新政府將履行上屆政府的承諾，並努力尋求新的合作推動支點，道出當前兩岸關係的現況。在兩岸高層人士底定後，如何總結成果進而開展新局，無疑是朝野最大的期待。

    　習近平在人大閉幕會發表演說，九次提到改革創新構築中國夢。就兩岸部分，習近平呼籲兩岸同胞攜手支持、維護、推動兩岸和平，無疑說出了多數人心聲。我們以為，和平、繁榮、尊嚴應該是兩岸交流的最高價值，也是兩岸人民應該共同構築的夢想。

    　李克強在記者會上，再度強調兩岸共同家園的概念，陸委會第一時間的反應，是中華民國是我們的國家，台灣是我們的家園，這種較有針對性的提法，應該是出自法律主權的考慮。實際上，兩岸在文化和血緣方面，有許多的共同點，雖然如此，台灣人對「共同家園」一詞卻語多保留，究其因，還得歸結於互信不足。因此，如何提升互信，應是兩岸新領導人的當務之急。

    　過去由於兩岸價值信仰體系分歧，雙方對統獨以及是否使用武力的問題疑慮甚深，加上軍事安全和外交場域的結構失衡及相互隔絕，使得互信無以建立。但自二○○八年以來，交流大幅增加，以對話代替對抗使得互信大為提升，但新的結構失衡和信仰危機，又增添了新的疑慮，阻撓雙邊關係的進展。

    　中國大陸躍升為國際政經強權，台灣對中國大陸投資及市場依賴加深，兩岸在軍事安全和經濟實力的落差加大，台灣國際經貿地位日漸孤立，出現邊緣化的危機，這些因素都是造成兩岸關係結構失衡的新因素。自信仰體系而言，兩岸交流的制度化確實提升了雙方的信任感，但國人對中國大陸經貿促統的疑慮卻也同步上升。

    　當前台海關係的結構相對穩定，毋寧是一可喜的進展，未來兩會互設辦事處和ＥＣＦＡ的完成簽訂，更可以自制度層面強化互信。兩岸之間更多元平衡的交流，例如陸資進一步擴大來台、陸客人數的增加，也可以為雙方的互信打造更為堅實的基礎，而對現有交流模式消除不合理的內涵，例如陸生、陸配權益的改善等，也將對雙方的信任提供新的動力。

    　然而，新的結構失衡和信任危機，恰恰出現在兩岸對交往的期望攀升之際，使得問題更加棘手。面對此一新局，本報三月一日社論，提出兩岸之間的高層對話，可以在東亞區域環境的分合競逐間，找到切入的著力點，該文進一步指出國民黨榮譽主席連戰先生訪陸所提的平衡、對等、有效的政治框架，可以優先適用於國際經貿領域，作為新的合作推動支點。

    　我們願意再度重申前文所提的建言，乃是因為台灣未能參加新的區域經濟自由化和區域化的問題，已經成為兩岸之間難以提升信任的主因，在此一基本矛盾獲得妥善解決前，其他的政治議題都難以累積足夠動能。就此，政府亦應加強疏通，讓人民瞭解，有些兩岸間的政治性協議不但不等於統一，反而有利台海穩定。

    　我們喜見大陸順利完成權力的世代交替，對新領導人提出的願景也願意樂觀以對。兩岸之間能否再創新局，共同搭建可長可久的關係架構，正是兩岸人民共同的夢想。