Pearls and Irritations

Wang Jin-pyng says not to abandon “the opportunity for people on both sides to jointly pursue the well-being of the Chinese nation,” and respect the separate jurisdictions across the Strait. If world peace really hinges on, as many claim, what happens across the Taiwan Strait, you’ll have to bear with me for more posts on the seemingly niche subject.

Wang Jin-pyng, a member of the Kuomingtang (KMT) party, is the longest-serving Taiwanese top legislator, holding the position from 1999 to 2016.

On November 13, Wang launched a cross-party thinktank “Moral Peace Union.”

Soon after, Wang visited the Chinese mainland and paid respects to his ancestors, and participated in cross-Strait exchanges. During the trip, he met Song Tao, the Chinese mainland’s senior Taiwan affairs official, in the mainland city of Xiamen on November 18.

On November 27, at a regular press conference of the mainland’s Taiwan Affairs Office, a spokesperson responded to a question about Wang Jin-pyng and his “Moral Peace Alliance.” According to the record published by the mainland’s Taiwan Affairs Office:

Reporter from China Media Group:

Wang Jin-pyng, former head of Taiwan’s legislative body, who recently established the cross-party thinktank “Moral Peace Alliance” in Taiwan, expressed his commitment to promoting cross-strait peace. Subsequently, he visited Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, to pay respects to his ancestors and expressed hope for joint peace across the strait, emphasising the need to enhance national and cultural identity among compatriots. What’s your comments and responses?

Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office:

Maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is the common aspiration of compatriots on both sides. The foundation and prerequisite for achieving this shared desire are adhering to the “1992 Consensus” and opposing “Taiwan independence.” As long as there is recognition that both sides of the strait belong to one China, there are no obstacles to dialogue and communication with any political parties, groups, or individuals in Taiwan.

Mr. Wang Jin-pyng’s ancestral visit reflects the Chinese nation’s fine tradition of honouring ancestors and demonstrates a commitment to inheriting and promoting excellent traditional Chinese culture. It also shows the strong desire of many Taiwanese compatriots to strengthen cross-strait exchanges. Compatriots on both sides of the strait are Chinese, connected by blood as one family. Promoting excellent traditional Chinese culture is a common obligation of compatriots on both sides; safeguarding the common homeland of the Chinese nation is a shared responsibility; and achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is a common mission. We hope that the vast number of Taiwanese compatriots will uphold national righteousness, conform to the trend of history, and work together with mainland compatriots to promote the peaceful development and integration of cross-strait relations, advance national reunification, and jointly create a bright future for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Today (Sunday, December 8), in the first forum of the thinktank, Wang initiates a new vision for cross-strait relations:

两岸治权互不隶属，主权同而不分, which I translate as “the two sides’ jurisdictions do not subordinate to each other, and sovereignty is one without division.”

World peace is our common goal. To achieve this lofty ideal, I believe we must start with ourselves, and the first step is to realise peace across the Taiwan Strait. The Taiwan Strait region is considered by international affairs experts as one of the most unstable areas for global security. Many also believe the Taiwan Strait issue is intricate and difficult to resolve. However, I think that no matter how complex the problem is, as long as we eliminate ideological interference, return to rationality, and trace back to the fundamental historical facts, we can find a reasonable and feasible solution.

In 1996, Mr. Lee Teng-hui stated in his inaugural address that “For over 40 years, the two sides of the Straits have been two separate jurisdictions due to various historical factors, but it is also true that both sides pursue eventual national unification. Only when both sides face up to the facts and engage in dialogue with profound sincerity and patience will they be able to find the solution to the unification question and work for the common welfare of the Chinese people.” I believe that Mr. Lee’s formal speech is even more worthy of our reference now.

Over the past 70 years, Taiwan has experienced different stages of development, with varying thoughts and approaches to cross-strait policies at each stage. However, we can affirm that during Taiwan’s peaceful revolution towards democratisation, we simultaneously adopted more open and pragmatic approaches to cross-strait policies, establishing a policy direction of resolving confrontation through exchanges and enhancing mutual trust through communication.

During his presidency, Mr. Lee Teng-hui established the National Unification Council, promulgated the Guidelines for National Unification, facilitated the Koo-Wang Talks, and initiated a new era of positive cross-strait interaction. Mr. Lien Chan and Mr. Ma Ying-jeou, using the 1992 Consensus as the greatest common denominator between the two sides, deepened cross-strait exchanges, strengthened mutual trust, and laid a good foundation for the stable development of cross-strait relations. Ms. Tsai Ing-wen, who participated in the Koo-Wang Talks in Shanghai and Beijing, and Mr. Lai Ching-te, who led a delegation to visit Shanghai during his tenure as mayor, have personally experienced and acknowledged the positive benefits brought by cross-strait exchanges.

Unfortunately, in recent years, cross-strait relations, which once saw the dawn of peace, have encountered many variables, even becoming a dangerous area where international affairs experts predict potential military conflicts. The reasons include rapid changes in the international environment, ideological constraints, and, more importantly, misunderstandings arising from the stagnation of cross-strait exchanges, leading to subsequent confrontations. Many believe that the stalemate between the two sides is an unsolvable problem. However, I have always believed that no knot cannot be untied; it depends on whether we have the wisdom and patience to handle it. As long as we first establish our goals and seek consensus, starting by understanding each other’s positions, we can open a new path for cross-strait relations. The common goal of both sides is to ensure the safety and well-being of the people, and the greatest consensus is to respect each other’s systems and way of life.

Under this premise, we need to pragmatically accept history and the current situation. The separate governance of the two sides is a historical issue, but after operating for more than 70 years, each has developed its own unique way of life, which we must face as a reality. The people on both sides of the Strait jointly inherit Chinese culture, sharing the same traditions in language, customs, religion, and beliefs; this is also a historical fact we must uphold. Therefore, I advocate that 两岸治权互不隶属，主权同而不分 the two sides’ jurisdictions do not subordinate to each other, and sovereignty is one without division. I repeat, my position is that the two sides’ jurisdictions do not subordinate to each other, and sovereignty is one without division.

We respect the fact of separate jurisdictions across the Strait but do not abandon the opportunity for people on both sides to jointly pursue the well-being of the Chinese nation. We accept the current state of affairs but do not deny the sentiments of history. Separate jurisdictions without separation is the most pragmatic approach at this stage to resolve confrontation, break the deadlock, and create opportunities for peace.

Over the years, with the efforts of visionary leaders from all sectors, cross-strait relations have progressed towards seeking common ground while reserving differences, creating a stable environment for Taiwan, allowing us to focus on economic development, pursue social progress, and improve people’s lives.

Today, we have no reason not to continue expanding the space for peaceful development for our next generation on the foundation built by our predecessors, ensuring a prosperous future for them.

Peace is a universal value pursued by all. Like all the representatives present, I am willing to contribute to sustainable peace. Today, in your presence, I have presented my views on creating a new situation in cross-strait relations, hoping that aspiring individuals will work together, hand in hand, towards a new era of cross-strait peace and global harmony.

Republished from Pekingnology, December 09, 2024

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