A SUMMARY

It has been ten years since the founding of the Boao Forum for Asia. This year its eleventh annual meeting is being held on Hainan Island. Over the past decade, Mainland China has undergone wide-ranging reform and liberalization. The Beijing government has become increasingly active in international economic and trade affairs.

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Beijing was initially hesitant to participate in international economic and trade forums. It feared superpower pressure. Other governments also harbored misgivings about Mainland China's development. They worried that Beijing would use Mainland China's vast market and enormous productivity to disrupt the existing international economic and financial order. They said they hoped Beijing would be a "responsible stakeholder."

Ten years later, Mainland China still has reservations about the world order dominated by a few powers. But Beijing does not seek to confront them. Instead, it has formed the Boao Forum, and holds summits with the BRICS nations. It uses its own Sino-centric forum to establish its own international status.

Taipei's participation in the Boao Forum for Asia is similar to its participation in APEC. It hopes to break out of its isolation. It seeks a forum in which it will be treated as an equal. It seeks dialogue, both with Beijing and with the leaders of other nations. The Boao Forum, however, holds a special place in the promotion of cross-Strait cooperation.

In 2008, Ma and Siew were elected President and Vice President, respectively. Authorities on both sides of the Strait were eager to establish channels of communication. Many self-styled secret emissaries shuttled back and forth between the Mainland and Taiwan. But they lacked credentials, and their interactions lacked transparency. Then Vice President-elect Vincent Siew had attended the Boao Forum several times. Just before his inauguration, he visited Hainan Island. He was accompanied by National Security Council Secretary-General-designate Su Chi. As Chairman of the Cross-Strait Common Market Foundation, he met with President Hu Jintao, and laid the foundation for cross-Strait interaction.

Vice President-elect Wu Den-yih has stepped down as Premier. He is attending the Boao Forum as a private citizen. Interestingly enough, the Permanent Deputy Prime Minister of the State Council Li Keqiang has been scheduled to meet with Wu Den-yih before the opening, not Hu Jintao or Wen Jiabao. Granted this arrangement might have been unintentional, it was appropriate nevertheless. In October of this year, during the Chinese Communist Party's 18th Party Congress, Li Keqiang will be promoted to Premier. He ranks number two in the party. Wu Den-yih is Vice President-elect. For him to meet Li Keqiang is consistent with the principle of peer-parity.

This was the first time the two ever met. But the atmosphere was congenial. The two addressed each other as "Mr." Li Keqiang began with the observation that "When compatriots get together, and friends meet each other, it is a joyous occasion." Wu Den-yih responded with, "Although it is our first meeting, it is far better than knowing you by reputation."

During the meeting, Wu Den-yih offered these words: "Cross-Strait peace, seeking common ground while shelving differences, valuing trust and building neighborly relations, putting the livelihood of the people first." He said he hoped the two sides would continue their pragmatic consultations, and create more happiness for the people. Wu Den-yih made a point of reading these words verbatim, from notes. He wanted to underscore their gravity, and demonstrate that they were not merely his personal views.

These words are familiar. They have been spoken in the past. The two sides do adhere to a consensus. This consensus includes "cross-Strait peace, seeking common ground while shelving differences." But it also includes a new part, "valuing trust and building neighborly relations, putting the livelihood of the people first." Putting the livelihood of the people first has long been the cross-Strait consensus. Taipei hopes that economic and trade issues, including agreements on investment guarantee and on cooperation in financial services, can be reached as soon as possible.

Wu Den-yih stressed "valuing trust and building neighborly relations." Over the past few years, Beijing has stressed the Harmonious Society. This is consistent with traditional culture, which values peace and harmony. Valuing trust and building neighborly relations has another meaning. It stresses the need for a continuity of policy on the Taipei side. It hopes for the renewal of policy on the Beijing side following the change in leadership.

Four years ago, when Vincent Siew met Hu Jintao, he proposed that the two sides "Face reality, create the future, set aside disputes, and pursue win/win." Hu Jintao responded, suggesting that the two sides "work together, establish mutual trust, set aside disputes, and pursue win/win." This time, however, Li did not offer an immediate response.

Beijing's response at the time was the result of special time and space. Eight years of crises had rocked cross-Strait relations. The two sides hoped to swiftly reestablish stable relations. Now, however, the Ma administration has been in office for four years. Beijing has higher expectations for Ma's second term. Therefore, they are being particularly careful in their response.

Following the Wu/Li Meeting, State Council Taiwan Affairs Office Director Wang Yi spoke about Beijing's expectations at a reception. He noted that cross-Strait economic cooperation proceeds "from the easy to the difficult." Increasing mutual political trust will pave the way for problem-solving. Wang Yi said the two sides should further safeguard, consolidate, and deepen political trust. Only then can they promote economic cooperation. Only then can they provide a solid foundation for the solution of a multitude of economic problems. Only then can they create a more favorable environment, and generate more sustained momentum.

Such a response was consistent with Beijing's long held policy statements. It was not surprising. But we would like to emphasize that Taipei recently made or will make three major Mainland policy statements. Wu Den-yih's words were a continuation of former KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung's reference to "One Country, Two Areas." President Ma Ying-jeou will give his inaugural address on May 20. Cross-Strait policy over the next four years will be fully outlined. Those concerned with cross-Strait relations should give these statements special attention and careful consideration.

(Courtesy of China Times)

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