[放眼天下]Moon Festival a reminder of reunification (Part II)
Right now, unprecedentedly high potentials are seen in cross-Strait political, economic, cultural and educational exchanges and cooperation, which will lay a foundation and creating favourable conditions for peaceful reunification of the two sites across the Taiwan Strait. On the other hand, the influence of Taiwan independence is waning. However, we must be aware that Taiwan independence activists will never sit passively waiting for their end but definitely will wage a last-ditch struggle. Chen Shui-bian had got "desinicisation" in full swing while in power. After he stepped down (as the Taiwanese leader), the pro-independence camp has also lost its political stage. After the Kuomintang (KMT) made a comeback to govern, pro-independence activists now mainly resort to taking to the streets to voice their opposition. While they have yet to become a mainstream force in Taiwan, they keep on raising a hue and cry and carrying on a smear campaign, which breeds a misunderstanding of the Mainland among those Taiwanese people who are out of the swim of thing. Therefore, there is no reason to slacken our efforts in checking the pro-Taiwan-independence activity, in spite of the improvement of cross-Strait relations.
The biggest external obstacle to peaceful reunification of the two sides across the Taiwan Strait is the United States. Although the US recongnises "one China", it brazenly violates the three Sino-US communiqués to sell weapons to Taiwan, making "using Taiwan to contain China" a pillar of its Asia-Pacific strategy. All US administrations use the Taiwan problem as an important chip in containment of China. This is particularly so in recent years as China is rising to become one of the few countries in today's world that are able to act as a counterweight to the United States. Therefore, the US will grip the Taiwan card even more firmly. From this perspective, it is not hard to understand why the US would still want to create troubles for cross-Strait relations by selling weapons to Taiwan, as the two sides across the Strait tend to be increasingly on friendly terms and in peace. Chinese people at home and overseas must get a clear understanding of such a double-faced tactic of the United States.
The existence of internal and external obstacles to the peaceful reunification of the two sides across the Taiwan Strait further highlights the importance of the overseas Chinese movement to oppose Taiwan independence and promote reunification. It is of special significance for the Conference to be held in Hong Kong. Since Hong Kong's return to the Motherland 13 years ago, "one country two systems" and "Hong Kong people running Hong Kong" has been implemented in accordance with the Basic Law. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region enjoys high-degree autonomy with independence in administration, legislation, judiciary and final appeal. The Basic Law also stipulates that Hong Kong can handle on its own its external affairs in economic, trade, financial and cultural domains. Evidently, within the framework of "one country two systems" and with support of the central government, there is greater room for Hong Kong to participate in international affairs. The practicality and feasibility of "one country two systems" proves it is a good solution to deal with problems left over by history. The successful experience of Hong Kong's smooth return to the Motherland has set a good example in practice, which believably can be applied to help properly solve the Taiwan problem. This year Hong Kong and Taiwan respectively set up the Hong Kong-Taiwan Economic and Cultural Cooperation and Promotion Council and the Taiwan- Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Cooperation Council, creating a benign interactive venue for exchange between the two sides which may also enable Taiwan to better understand the success of "one country two systems".
The Overseas Chinese World Conference for Promoting Peaceful Reunification of China lasts two days. It will pass a policy document, the Hong Kong Declaration, to set new goals of promoting the great endeavour of China's peaceful reunification. The moon is full on the Moon Festival, which reminds us of reunification. Greatest efforts must be devoted to get all Chinese people united under the banner of patriotism, wherever they are and regardless of their different faiths. We believe the unprecedented solidarity of Chinese sons and daughters will effectively promote faster development of cross-Strait relations to build a glorious future for the peaceful reunification of the Motherland and revitalization of the Chinese nation. (End)
22 September 2010
