October 6, 1998
Ｉ. Preface
In June 1995, the Peking authorities unilaterally suspended cross-strait consultations and began launching verbal attacks and military threats against Taiwan, bringing cross-strait relations to a new low. But the ROC's consistent stance has remained unchanged. ROC government leaders have since then made 114 public appeals calling on the Mainland authorities to resume communications and consultations as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) has on its own initiative sent four letters to the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), calling for the resumption of normal interaction between personnel of the two intermediary organizations, and clearly stating the ROC's hope for resuming consultations at the earliest date. Our overtures have been based upon the pragmatic view that more room should be reserved for the long-term development of cross-strait relations, rather than withdrawal or a restraint of policy due to temporary changes in the circumstances.
In February 1998, the Peking authorities finally expressed their consent to resume communications and consultations in an official letter to Taipei. Since then, the SEF and the ARATS have made considerable progress in improving cross-strait communications and in raising the level of personnel for exchange visits. Most significant, the SEF and the ARATS, in response to the extreme importance attached to this issue by the public, finally agreed and confirmed that SEF Chairman Koo Chen-fu will visit the Chinese mainland during October 14-19, 1998, and during the course of his trip will meet with ARATS Chairman Wang Daohan. After over three years of cross-strait tensions, this outcome is a beacon of peace, setting people's minds to rest. Considering that the institutionalized system for cross-strait consultations was suspended over three years ago, this meeting between the top leaders of the SEF and the ARATS holds profound significance for the positive development and interaction of cross-strait relations in the future.
II. The Origins of the Koo-Wang Meeting
On November 7, 1997, the Taipei-based SEF wrote to the Peking-based ARATS, suggesting that Mr. Koo Chen-fu, chairman of the SEF, lead a group of delegates on a visit to the Chinese mainland. This suggestion was based on the pragmatic concern that institutionalized communication and dialogue across the strait can be "gradually" resumed. If formal consultations are rushed at a time when communication seems difficult and hostility across the strait still persists, not only will consultations be fruitless, but the already fragile mutual trust between Taiwan and the mainland could potentially be further damaged, thus endangering cross-strait relations. It is our sincere hope that through these meetings and the free exchange of opinions between the two chairmen, a good atmosphere conducive to further development across the strait can be created. Chairman Koo's visit to the mainland seeks to establish common ground for the resumption of talks, and also hopes to ease and reduce the antagonism and misunderstanding which has grown over more than three years.
Through our consistent efforts, the Chinese mainland finally was willing to arrange for a meeting between the SEF and the ARATS at the vice chairman and deputy secretary-general levels and to proceed with a meeting of the two chairmen. This is an important step to the gradual resumption of communications and talks between both sides.
We do not exclude the possibility that the Chinese mainland is returning to the negotiating table out of a concern for self-interest. However, it is doubtless that our reasonable and firm stance for mutual relations is the pivotal factor that has brought about this pragmatic response by the mainland. It is our consistent position that the cross-strait consultations should be based upon the fulfillment of mutual agreements, and proceed in an orderly manner, step by step, within the present system and framework. Judging by the process of correspondence and discussion between the SEF and the ARATS concerning preparations for Chairman Koo's visit, we are pleased that the communication channels have gradually returned to the institutional norm.
III. The Purpose and Significance of the Koo-Wang meeting
At the head of a delegation, Chairman Koo goes to the Chinese mainland for a "visit" and meetings with Chairman Wang Daohan and other people. Since the dialogue mechanism between the SEF and the ARATS was suspended more than three years ago, it is expected that the meeting between Messrs. Koo and Wang will lead to the resumption of institutionalized communication and dialogue channels between these two organizations and thereby move bilateral relations in the right direction.
We hope to see that the Koo-Wang meeting this time will be significant in at least the following respects:
First, the meeting will lay a solid foundation for improving bilateral relations. Through continued communication during the consultation process, mutual understanding can be enhanced and mutual trust accumulated, contributing to the easing of tensions. The Koo-Wang meeting, as well as continued communication and contact between the SEF and the ARATS, will make a significant contribution to improving bilateral relations and to promoting the mandates of these two organizations.
Second, the Koo-Wang meeting sets off a gradual return to the spirit of consultation. The Koo-Wang meeting, and the meetings and consultations convened in advance between the responsible officials and the deputy secretaries-general of the SEF and the ARATS, are largely in accordance with existing agreements and conventions reached by the two sides. This serves to show that interaction between the two bodies has returned to the structure and spirit of the agreements signed in the earlier Koo-Wang talks.
Third, the Koo-Wang meeting demonstrates a resumption of institutionalized cross-strait communication and contact. Although the two sides may have differing opinions on the items to be discussed, there should be no doubt as to the effectiveness of communication that can be attained through an institutionalized communication channel. This meeting between Messrs. Koo and Wang proves that both sides deem it necessary to strengthen exchanges and contacts through such a channel of communication.
Fourth, this meeting will pave the way for future bilateral consultations. Both the SEF and the ARATS, which are the only government-authorized organizations to conduct cross-strait negotiations, may see this meeting as a natural opportunity to review and implement agreements and consensus reached in the past. This opportunity will further help in paving the way for resuming institutionalized consultations between both sides and for creating favorable conditions for positive interaction.
IV. Our Expectations of Cross-strait Relations
The vast differences in values as well as political and social systems on Taiwan and the Chinese mainland resulting from nearly 50 years of separate rule, can be bridged when the two sides are given adequate time to build up mutual understanding. Thus, we have, with sincerity, goodwill, and patience, made pragmatic moves to create an environment conducive to harmonious interaction. We hope that Peking will abandon its military intimidation and diplomatic strangulation against Taiwan, and that it will take concrete actions to demonstrate its goodwill by respecting the present reality of divided rule as well as by improving cross-strait relations. Only then will there be room for the development of comprehensive exchanges and the building of a more solid foundation for cross-strait consultations.
Premier Vincent Siew clearly stated in his administrative report to the Legislative Yuan on September 11 of this year: "We might say that the 'Koo-Wang meeting' that is being arranged is an important starting point for increasing positive cross-strait interaction and for restoring mutual trust. It also marks a high-level interaction between the SEF and the ARATS that is the focus of attention and expectation of Chinese people at home and abroad. With more candid consultations and appropriate arrangements on both sides, the meeting could definitely prove to be a success and would create new opportunities for broader and higher-level communication and dialogue between the two sides. It could also serve as a means to finding the ultimate solution for establishing orderly private-sector cross-strait exchanges and for protecting the rights and interests of the people."
We earnestly hope that both sides can soon enter a phase of open exchanges and pragmatic consultations in cross-strait relations. Through constructive bilateral dialogue, we hope that both sides can together find an effective path toward the resumption of normal institutionalized consultations and, further, towards peaceful development and cooperation in cross-strait relations, thereby contributing to stability and prosperity in East Asia.