Expectations over better relations between China and Taiwan are growing as the two rivals on Thursday agreed to set up permanent representative offices in each other's territory. The agreement was reached in the first formal talks between the two sides since 1999. Undoubtedly, it is seen as a significant breakthrough that will set the stage for mutual trust and peaceful co-existence between mainland China and the island.
It is encouraging that new Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou's campaign pledge to mend ties with Beijing can be translated into action. It is obvious that his policy of seeking better cross-straight relations instead of Taiwan's independence is contributing to easing tensions and strengthening cooperation between the two archrivals.
It seems that the Taiwanese made a wise decision to choose Ma of the Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang, as their leader over Frank Hsieh, candidate of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that tilts toward independence. Voters turned their backs on Hsieh in the March presidential election after Ma's DPP predecessor, Chen Shui-bian, lost public trust due to his incompetence and corruption allegations. Besides, Chen's populist appeal to independence has lost ground.
On the other hand, Beijing is showing signs of easing its hard-line position against what it regards as a renegade province. This move has something to do with the Tibetan problem. China is required to calm secessionist sentiment among minority ethnic groups, especially after its bloody crackdown on Tibetan monks and demonstrators in March. The suppression has touched off international criticism for China's human rights violations and encouraged Tibetan exiles to increase their call for independence of Tibet.
In this context, the Chinese leadership under President Hu Jintao must have learned a lesson from the Tibet case. It has apparently recognized that China's uncompromising stance on Taiwan is of little help in its efforts to effectively cope with secessionist movement on the island and other parts of the mainland. In addition, China also needs to improve its image ahead of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics by taking a conciliatory gesture to Taiwan.
The two sides also signed an agreement on Friday to expand charter flights and increase tourism, a meaningful step toward restoring transportation links severed 59 year ago. The accord is expected to boost economic cooperation and human exchanges between Taiwan and China. Taiwanese businesses have already invested more than $100 billion in the mainland over the past 15 years.
In a nutshell, Beijing and Taipei have much in common to deviate from six decades of confrontation and national division and move toward reconciliation, peace and co-prosperity. However, the two sides have many obstacles to rapprochement. Beijing is still firm on its ``one China'' policy. It has yet to discard threats to use military force to deter Taiwan's declaration of independence. China is also blocking Taiwan's move to join international organizations such as the United Nations and the U.N.-affiliated World Health Organization (WHO).
China and Taiwan should establish a working channel of dialogue by opening permanent offices in each other's capitals to find a negotiated solution to the pending issues. We also hope that improvements in cross-straight ties will have a positive effect on the Korean Peninsula. It is regrettable that North Korea has recently rejected South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's proposal to open a liaison office in Seoul and Pyongyang.
The South-North relations have been strained since the conservative President vowed to link inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation to the North's progress toward denuclearization. Pyongyang is trying to sideline Seoul in the six-nation nuclear disarmament talks and scrambling to normalize ties with the United States. It's time for the North to come back to the table to discuss with the South how to end hostility, restore mutual trust, promote peace and move toward co-prosperity.