Despite rebukes against pro-independence Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian’s move to disrupt peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the mainland remains active in pushing forward links with the island. Sun Shengliang, a research fellow at the Institute of Taiwan Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, analyzes the mainland’s stance and efforts in cross-strait relations. Following are excerpts of his article carried in the People’s Daily Overseas Edition:
　　
　　Chen Yunlin, Director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, again released news favoring Taiwan and its people in terms of cross-strait economic and trade relations at a meeting with visiting legislative leader of the Kuomintang Party Tseng Yung-chuan February 22.
　　The stance of the Chinese mainland can be boiled down to three points.
　　First, the Chinese mainland welcomes exchanges of views on the matters of charter flights across the Taiwan Strait and mainland tourists to the island with people from all Taiwan-based political parties and groups, including the Democratic Progressive Party, which supports the development of cross-strait relations.
　　Second, while reiterating the consistent proposal that the questions of cargo and passenger charter flights can be put together under consultation, arrangement and synchronized operation, the Chinese mainland adds that the agenda of specific consultations--cargo flights should be discussed first or passenger flights--can be negotiated between civil aviation trade organizations of the two sides.
　　Third, the mainland has made full preparations for its residents to travel to Taiwan, as relevant regulations drafted by departments including the National Tourism Administration and other related departments will be released soon. The mainland doesn’t object to officials with related departments of Taiwan joining talks in a nongovernmental capacity.
　　Recently, new changes have been seen in cross-strait relations. Taiwan’s leader has been advocating the abolishment of the island’s policy-making body on unification with the mainland and its 15-year-old guidelines. [Despite strong opposition from people across the Taiwan Strait and the international community, the independence-minded leader announced February 27 that he was going ahead with his decision, an escalated secessionist push, according to the mainland.--Editor] Whatever changes on the island, the mainland, however, still concerns itself with Taiwan compatriots, and will, as always, make utmost efforts for their well being with a broader mind and more flexible approach. Taiwan compatriots are our flesh-and-blood brothers, therefore we won’t change our solemn commitment to them upon any deliberate provocation and obstruction.
　　Cross-strait cargo and passenger charter flights and mainland residents’ travel to Taiwan, both warmly welcomed by the two sides and the international community, are favorable to peoples on both sides, in particular to boosting Taiwan’s economy.
　　The mainland has proposed many times that civil aviation operators on the mainland and Taiwan start negotiations as soon as possible on making cross-strait passenger charter flights regular and permanent, and launching cargo charter flights, by the same means as those during the Spring Festival.
　　At the beginning, the mainland considered the issue of passenger charter flights comparatively urgent, while the Taiwan side favored cargo flights first. Taking account of the will, the mainland proposed that the issues of cargo and passenger flights be put under negotiation together, which received a positive response from the island. This time, the mainland again holds an open, flexible and down-to-earth attitude concerning with whom to talk and the agenda of the consultations, which fully indicates the mainland’s sincerity to do it well.
　　Mainland residents’ travel to Taiwan is not a new topic, either. In recent years, quite a few people on the two sides have earnestly engaged themselves in preparations because it can satisfy mainland people’s longing for a “tour of China’s precious island,” promote mutual understanding between people, as well as enhance Taiwan’s economy--so, why not?
　　Since the opening of Taiwan to mainland tourists was announced last May, the mainland has stepped up preparations in this respect. Last November, after an inspection tour to Taiwan with other delegates, the head of the China Tourism Association Shao Qiwei said basic conditions have all been available for mainland tourists’ travel to the island. Soon after the announcement, it can be said that the issue has entered a “countdown” for the mainland’s regulations to be issued. After all, as for the question of when mainland tourists will make it to Taiwan in delegations, it still depends on Taiwan’s positive response and collaboration.
　　In March 2005, President Hu Jintao put forth four proposals on improving and developing cross-strait relations, saying, “Anything beneficial to the Taiwan compatriots and conducive to the promotion of cross-strait exchanges, to the maintenance of peace in the Taiwan Strait region and to the motherland’s peaceful reunification, we will do it with our utmost efforts and will do it well.”
　　This is a solemn promise to our Taiwan compatriots. The efforts made by the Chinese mainland in the past year are a best footnote for the commitment.

相關(guān)熱詞搜索：Strait Stance Ｓｔｒａｉｔ　Ｓｔａｎｃｅ strait straiten