Cross-Strait relations: 18 months of progress

cctv.com 04-29-2005 10:06

This year has seen big developments in Cross-Straits relations. Increasing economic cooperation, direct charter flights over the Spring Festival, the adoption of the Anti-Secession Law, not the mention the current visit by the Kuomintang chairman. All these events have strengthened ties between the two sides.

Ms. Liang Chunman, who runs a food company in Shanghai, was fortunate to become the first passenger to get a ticket for the special cross-straits charter flights. She is one of the million people from Taiwan, who are now living and working here on the Chinese mainland.

Liang said, "It used to take a long time to go home because I had to switch planes halfway. Now it will only take me a morning to go back. This is really convenient. "

It was much easier to go home to celebrate Chinese New Year this year for Taiwan compatriots, with non-stop charter flights between several main cities on both sides for the first time in 56 years.

Tao Wenzhao, senior fellow, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said, "We know that around the Spring Festival, we had a successful charter flight between the two sides, and people from Taiwan are supportive the charter flight and this charter flight was very successful."

Apart from the transport links, there were also many other developments in cross-straits relations last year.

This is an exhibition of Taiwan's agricultural products in Guangzhou earlier this spring. It was the first time that an expo of this kind was held on the mainland.

In 2004, the indirect trade volume across the Taiwan Straits exceeded 70 billion US dollars for the first time, up 34.2% over 2003.

Also, this year, over a hundred pieces of antiques from the world-renowned Dunhuang Grottoes are impressing Taiwan compatriots with their thrilling artistic value.

On March 14, China's top legislature adopted the Anti-Secession Law during the Tenth National People's Congress. Many Chinese analysts pointed out the passing of the law would not only promote a peaceful national reunification process, but - most importantly - would also create a legal framework to prevent Taiwan from seceding from China. Within this legal framework, exchanges between the sides are increasing rapidly.

In 2004, the Chinese mainland received nearly 3.7 million visits from Taiwan. Meanwhile, mainlanders paid 145,000 visits to Taiwan. Visits also happened at higher levels.

Last month, Kuomintang Vice-Chairman, Chiang Pin-kung, paid homage to the KMT founding father, visiting Dr. Sun Yat-sen mausoleum on the mainland. During his visit, the CPC leader issued an invitation to KMT Chairman Lien Chan to visit the mainland. Analysts view these visits as significant points in the Cross-Straits relations last year.

Tao said, "I think recent Mr. Chiang Pin-kung's visit and the coming Mr. Lien Chan, the Chairman of KMT, Mr. Lien Chan's visit are all very important development. The development shows that the political ecology in Taiwan has changed. So all of these things show that although the Taiwan authorities still want to block the Cross-Straits exchanges, but they just can not do that."

Analysts say that the sustained development of Cross-Straits relations is an important factor for stability in the area, and will promote deeper cooperation between two sides in many fields.

Editor:Chen Zhuo  Source:CCTV.com