Closer ties, military included, between Beijing and Taipei
Taipei (AsiaNews/Agencies) – After years of tensions more and more statements of understanding and cooperation are coming from both sides of the Taiwan Strait. In his New Year's address Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou said that trade relations with the mainland "will grow closer by the day” and that “people-to-people exchanges [. . .] will also become more frequent.” At the same time the pro-détente Ma stressed that these ties will not undermine the island’s sovereignty.
“As we deepen our ties with the mainland, we will aggressively seek to maintain our sovereignty and dignity” and “highlight our political, social and cultural distinctiveness,” he said.
After being ruled by a dictatorship for a long time, Taiwan is now a liberal democracy with a parliament and a president elected by the people. China instead continues to be ruled by the Chinese Communist Party and the population is still subjected to all sorts of controls.
Since Mr Ma took office in May 2008, Taiwan’s stance towards the mainland has changed radically. The pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which was relegated to the opposition, is critical of this shift and has accused Mr Ma of being servile towards the mainland (see photo).
Since 1949 Taiwan has had its own government (and a seat at the United Nations until 1971). For the mainland though it is a “rebel province” waiting to be reintegrated into the People’s Republic.
Mr Ma's remarks came a day after President Hu Jintao said Beijing was willing to develop military ties with Taiwan to further ease bilateral tensions and improve ties between the two sides.
In a speech that marked the 30th anniversary of Deng Xiaoping's announcement of Beijing's intention to use peaceful means rather than force to unite with the island, Chinese President Hu Jintao said that the “two sides can pick the right time to engage in exchanges on military issues and explore setting up a military and security mechanism to build mutual trust.” This could help "improve the situation in the Taiwan Straits and lessen military and security concerns,” he said in a surprising speech broadcast live on national television.
In March 2005 China’s National People’s Congress passed an anti-secession law that allows for the use of force to stop any attempt by Taiwan to become independent. And the mainland continues to aim hundreds of missiles at targets on the island.
Better economic ties and closer air, naval, and postal links have been to the advantage of both China and Taiwan, but many on the island fear that only investors and business will benefit from this rapprochement, leaving the poorer segments of the island’s population out in the cold.
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