CHINA / Opinion
Lien's speech awarded top marks
By Cao Desheng (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-04-30 06:39
Leading academics of Taiwan studies gave a collective nod of approval
after attending a speech by Kuomintang Chairman Lien Chan at Peking
University on Friday.
"His speech was full of warmth and expectations for a bright future for
cross-Straits relations," said professor Li Jiaquan.
Taiwan opposition leader Lien Chan (C) receives a portrait of his mother
Zhao Lan-kun from Peking University official Min Weifang (R) after his
speech at the university, his mother's alma mater, during his visit to
Beijing April 29, 2005. At left is Fang Yu, wife of Lien. [Reuters]
Li works for the Institute of Taiwan Studies at the Chinese Academy of
Social Sciences (CASS).
He added: "Lien based his speech on the pursuit of peace and common
prosperity on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. He was trying to convey
to his audience a strong desire to seek reconciliation and dialogue for
the building of a win-win future."
Lien made the speech just before he met with the General Secretary of the
Chinese Communist Party Central Committee Hu Jintao during his week-long
visit to the mainland.
He was interrupted many times by the warm applause offered by the 450
students and teachers present.
Lien quoted a famous Western saying - "peace by pieces" - saying all
Chinese should contribute his or her "piece" of effort to the promotion
of peace across the Taiwan Straits.
And he said every Chinese should be held accountable for the well-being
of the rest of the Chinese around the world.
"These words have shown the sincerity and willingness of a Lien-led KMT
party in maintaining peace and stability across the Straits," Li said.
"He has made a "good start" for developing the cross-Straits ties in the
future by his concrete actions," Li added.
In his speech, Lien said maintaining the status quo may be the best way
to develop cross-Straits relations.
"To maintain the status quo is not something static... to maintain the
status quo is so that we should avoid conflict by seeking common grounds
while reserving differences," Lien told the university.
"Lien's interpretation about the 'status quo' of the cross-Straits
relations reveals that the KMT's views about the concept of 'one China'
are changing in line with the real situations," said Jin Yi, a researcher
with the Institute of Taiwan Studies at CASS.
He added: "Mr Lien's interpretation is the common aspirations of people
across the Straits and conforms with the expectations of the
international community."
The applause he received during the 40-minute speech and the warm
welcomes from the mainland people wherever he arrives also indicate that
it's easy to get close in the sense of national identity despite the
six-decade separations, Jin said.
"As Lien said in his speech, that sticking to peace and achieving a
win-win future are a historical trend and the shared outcry of the people
across the Taiwan Straits, any problem could be solved if people across
the Straits can get close through trade and cultural exchanges," he added.
As a good beginning, Lien's trip will help consolidate public opinion on
the island and check secessionist activities, Jin said.
Jin also spoke highly of Lien's remarks that the historical trend and
common aspiration of the people encouraged him to shoulder the historical
responsibility in achieving common goals.
"As the chairman of the KMT party, Lien feels he has a responsibility for
defining a road map for the party in future cross-Straits relations," Jin
said.
(China Daily 04/30/2005 page2)
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