Builds up the foundation of cross-Straits talks

cctv.com 04-29-2005 10:03

In early January this year, Koo Chen-fu, the former head of the Straits Exchange Foundation died of cancer in Taipei. The 87-year-old had devoted much energy to improving cross-Straits relations during the past two decades. With his help, the two sides reached a consensus in 1992, recognizing the one-China policy, and laying the foundation for cross-Straits talks. Although one of the key participants has passed away, the 1992 Consensus remains unshakable.

As the head of the Straits Exchange Foundation, Koo Chen-fu had witnessed many ups and downs across the Taiwan Straits since the early 1990's. In 1992, the SEF and its counterpart in the mainland, the Association for the Relations Across the Taiwan Straits reached a landmark agreement in Hong Kong. The two sides acknowledged that "both sides across the Taiwan Straits should adhere to the one-China principle". It is called "1992 Consensus", which has been regarded as a premise for cross-Straits talks.

Tao Wenzhao, senior fellow, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said, "There is just one China. And both sides oppose 'Taiwan independence', oppose 'one China, one Taiwan', oppose 'two Chinas'. This is the main spirit of 1992 Consensus."

The "1992 Consensus" greatly warmed relations across the Straits. In April 1993, Koo and his counterpart, Wang Daohan, the chairman of ARATS held their first ever talks in Singapore. It was the highest-level talks between non-governmental bodies across the Straits, paving a path for normalized economic and cultural exchanges.

In October 1998, Koo Chen-fu visited Beijing and met the then Chinese president and general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Jiang Zemin. Koo also held talks with Wang Danhan in Shanghai. It was the first time for the two sides to hold meetings on the mainland since 1948.

However, the warmth that the "Wang-Koo talks" brought was cooled by Lee Teng-hui, then the Taiwan leader. In July 1999, during an interview with the German press, Lee proclaimed that Taiwan and China were separate states. His speaking against the one-China principle not only angered the mainland but also split one of Taiwan's leading parties, Kuomintang.

Lien Chan, Chairman of Kuomintang, said, "We do not deny that we are Chinese. We do not deny that our culture is Chinese culture. We cannot agree to separate from our nation, the Chinese nation. I think this is very clear and it is our basic position."

Lee Teng-hui was expelled from the KMT in 2001, after publicly supporting the election of his successor, Chen Shui-bian, the leader of the Democratic Progressive Party. After Chen became Taiwan leader, he denied the "1992 Consensus" and the one-China policy. Chen's recent advocacy of creating a new constitution in 2006 and a timetable for "Taiwan independence" further intensified cross-Straits problems.

Koo Chen-fu and Wang Daohan agreed to hold annual gatherings in their first meeting twelve years ago. However, they only met once since, due to the Taiwan leaders frequent walking away from "one-China" policy. Chinese analysts say that whenever the two sides adhere to the "1992 Consensus", the cross-Straits ties will improve; whenever someone walks away, the relationship will fall back. The "1992 Consensus" can be seen as a touchstone to test whether a Taiwan leader wants to protect the peace across the Taiwan Straits.

Editor:Chen Zhuo  Source:CCTV.com