Establish Sensible and Reasonable Cross-Strait Relations

Establish Sensible and Reasonable Cross-Strait Relations
China Times editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)
A Translation
June 21, 2013

Summary: Former KMT Chairman Lien Chan undertook his "Journey of Peace" to the Chinese mainland in April 2005. He and former Communist Party General Secretary Hu Jintao announced "five shared visions." The two parties established channels for high-level dialogue. In 2008, the KMT returned to office. The two sides initiated in high-level dialogue. This played a major role in the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. Recently they concluded the Wu Xi Meeting. It lasted only a few hours. But it may pave the way for an entirely new cross-Strait relationship.

Full Text below:

Former KMT Chairman Lien Chan undertook his "Journey of Peace" to the Chinese mainland in April 2005. He and former Communist Party General Secretary Hu Jintao announced "five shared visions." The two parties established channels for high-level dialogue. In 2008, the KMT returned to office. The two sides initiated in high-level dialogue. This played a major role in the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. Recently they concluded the Wu Xi Meeting. It lasted only a few hours. But it may pave the way for an entirely new cross-Strait relationship.

For starters, the Wu Xi Meeting was followed by the Obama Xi Meeting between Washington and Beijing. This means that KMT leaders have a clear understanding of the International political situation. They are well aware of the role the United States plays in cross-Strait relations, It cannot be ignored. Barack Obama and Xi Jinping addressed the "Taiwan issue." In terms of content, it was the same old tune. Both sides stuck to their guns. But Obama enthusiastically affirmed progress in cross-Strait relations, This means that cross-Strait reconciliation has a neighborhood effect. Not only can it lead to "win-win." It can even lead to "win-win-win." Looking to the future, cross-Strait relations must continue in the direction of peaceful development. There is simply no alternative.

Secondly, the Wu Xi Meeting addressed cross-Strait policy priorities. It provided ruling authorities on the two sides opportunities to refamiliarize themselves with each other. The Chinese Communist Party has completed its power transfer. Xi Jinping is the new leader of the CCP. Much speculation has emerged concerning various aspects of his policy. Take Taiwan policy. In the short-term most observers think Xi will dutifully implement Hu's policies. But new people often have new ways of doing things. Some are worried that Xi will pressure Taipei to take part in cross-Strait political negotiations. Meanwhile, President Ma is approaching the end of his second and final term. He is about to become a lame duck. This has led to numerous complaints that the Ma administration lacks a sufficiently proactive Mainland policy. President Xi Jinping admits that his talk with KMT Honorary Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung changed some of his preconceptions about President Ma Ying-jeou. We believe the Wu Xi Meeting will at least prevent the two sides from misjudging each other, and that it will prevent misunderstandings.

Finally, the Wu Xi Meeting was rooted in strategic national interest. For example, Xi Jinping placed particular emphasis on the notion that "both sides of the Strait are members of the same family." Wu Poh-hsiung stressed "national identity." He said "one does not choose one's ancestors." We are all members of the same family. Therefore, as long as we are considering the long term interests of the nation, the two sides need not haggle over "Who made what concession to whom."

Most importantly, for cross-Strait relations to move forward, requires more than lip service. It requires seriously consideration of a wide range of practical matters. On this point, the CCP 18th National Congress proposed "sensible and reasonable" arrangements for cross-Strait relations. This was an inspired notion. It means the two sides can "seek common ground while setting aside differences." It means they can "preserve what they share in common, even as they dissolve their differences."

The term "sensible" connotes the senses. It has emotional connotations. The term "sensible" implies consistency with human nature. Take Taipei's Mainland policy. Has it taken into account the Mainland's peaceful rise? Has it taken into account the resulting nationalist sentiment and public calls for democratization? Now take the Mainland's Taiwan policy. Has it taken into account Taiwan's desire for breathing room and freedom from military threats? If the parties think only of themselves, or worse, treat each other with hostility it will only hurt the feelings of people on both sides.

The term "reasonable" connotes the rational faculties. It involves objective standards. The term "reasonable" encompasses universal values, including the underlying rules of civilization. The term "reasonable" implies certain legal norms, aka, jurisprudence. Whatever is "reasonable" must be fair. If it is unfair, then it cannot be reasonable. Reason is a universal value. Only reasonable policies can win public support. The establishment of cross-Strait representative offices will benefit the people on both sides. If the two sides become stuck over details such as "humanitarian access," that is unreasonable. President Ma has reiterated that the handling of cross-Strait relations and Mainland policy are consistent with the framework of the ROC Constitution. Therefore allegations that Wu Poh-hsiung's proposals during the Wu Xi Meeting were "unconstitutional" are unfounded.

In short, Wu Poh-hsiung was duly authorized by Ma Ying-jeou to speak on his behalf. Therefore the Wu Xi Meeting confirms that the ruling authorities on both sides have handled cross-Strait issues quite well. They have considered the future of the Chinese nation. They have realistically safeguarded the interests of people on both sides. This is the most urgent task facing the two sides. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. We look forward to concrete moves by adminstrative agencies on both sides. Cross-Strait relations should be systematized as soon as possible. This will enable the two sides and the international community to get along, and to make sensible and reasonable arrangements.
   
中時電子報 新聞
中國時報 　2013.06.21
社論－建構「合情合理」的兩岸關係
本報訊

    　自從國民黨前主席連戰於二○○五年四月，前往中國大陸從事「和平之旅」，並與中共前總書記胡錦濤發表「五項共同願景」後，國共兩黨之間即建立了高層對話的管道。國民黨於二○○八年重新取得執政地位，兩黨高層對話持續進行，對於兩岸關係的和平發展，發揮了重大的作用。日前落幕的「吳習會」，雖然只有短短幾個小時，卻有可能為今後兩岸關係的發展，開創一個全新的局面。

    　首先，「吳習會」緊接著美中「歐習會」登場，說明國共兩黨領導人都己清楚認識，國際環境因素，特別是美國扮演的角色，對兩岸關係起的作用，不容忽視。雖然，歐巴馬和習近平在論及「台灣問題」時，內容仍屬舊調重彈，並且是各持己見；但歐巴馬高度肯定兩岸關係的進展，顯示兩岸和解的「擴散效應」，不但可以創造「雙贏」，並且可以產生「三贏」。展望未來，兩岸關係除了繼續循和平發展的方向前進外，已無其他道路可以選擇。

    　其次，「吳習會」針對兩岸政策的優先秩序，提供兩岸執政當局，一次「再認識」的機會。不容諱言，在中共完成黨政權力轉移後，外界對於習近平為首的中共新領導班子，在政策上曾出現方方面面的揣測。在對台政策方面，雖然多數認為短期內「胡規習隨」的可能性居多；但「新人新作風」，也有人擔心習會加促兩岸政治談判的壓力；相形之下，在馬總統進入執政的最後任期，所謂「跛鴨」之說，也隨之甚囂塵上，認為馬政府在大陸政策上已缺乏積極有所作為的旺盛企圖心。習近平主席坦承他和國民黨榮譽主席吳伯雄會談後，改變了原先對馬英九總統的一些想法。我們認為，「吳習會」至少消除了兩岸未來因錯估對方，而造成諸多誤判的可能。

    　最後，「吳習會」是站在民族大義的戰略高度上思考問題。例如，習近平特別強調要積極宣導「兩岸一家人」的理念；吳伯雄則強調「民族認同」，認為「祖先無從選擇」。既然都是一家人，則只要考量民族的根本利益和長遠利益，兩岸就不必斤斤計較，沒有所謂「誰讓利給誰」的問題。

    　最重要的是，兩岸關係要向前發展，大家不能光說不練，而必須認真思考一些屬於操作面的問題。針對這點，中共「十八大」提出兩岸「合情合理」安排雙方關係的概念，是一個具有啟發性的想法，意味著兩岸互動有可能從雙方的「求同存異」，一步登上「存同化異」的台階。

    　「情」字帶有感性的色彩，主觀意識很濃。「合情」指的是合乎人之常情。例如，台灣制定大陸政策時，是否曾考慮大陸和平崛起後，隨之而來的民族主義情緒和民眾對於民主化的需求；大陸在制定對台政策時，是否思考台灣要求擴大對外活動空間和免於受到武力威脅的恐懼。如果雙方一意孤行，甚至採取背道而馳的政策，結果勢必因此傷了兩岸民眾的感情。

    　「理」字帶有理性的色彩，有其客觀判斷的標準。「理」包含普世的價值，即文明之理。理也包含特定的法律規範，也就是所謂的法理。「合理」講求的是正不正當，即合不合乎道理。有理走遍天下，合理的政策就能得到人民的支持。兩岸互設辦事機構對兩岸民眾有利，如果雙方協商卡在「人道探視」這個節骨眼的問題上，就是沒有道理。馬總統一再重申是在中華民國憲法架構下處理兩岸關係，制定大陸政策。因此，質疑吳伯雄在「吳習會」的主張「違憲」，也是沒有道理。

    　總之，由於吳伯雄此行獲有馬英九的充分授權，因此這次「吳習會」己充分展現了兩岸執政當局處理兩岸問題的高度和深度。雙方的交集不僅是著眼於中華民族的未來，也實事求是地把維護兩岸人民的利益，視為眼前兩岸面臨的當務之急。「千里之行，始於足下」，我們期待雙方行政部門能採取具體行動，盡速針對兩岸關係的制度化問題和兩岸在國際社會的相處之道，進行合情合理的安排。