Emphasizing his support of the so-called "1992 consensus," People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (
During his high-profile meeting with China's top cross-strait negotiator, chairman of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, Wang Daohan (
The "1992 consensus" refers to the supposed agreement reached between the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and CCP negotiators in Hong Kong in 1992. According to the KMT, the talks were conducted under the understanding that each side supported the "one China" principle, but with different interpretations of what that means.
"The `one China' principle, but with different interpretations, is a reasonable description of the reality of the cross-strait situation. The Taiwanese people hope that China respects the reality of their existence. The Republic of China's Guidelines for National Unification (
"The guidelines state that the development of cross-strait relations is conditional, with the goal of achieving unification one step at a time, starting with a short-term phase of exchanges and reciprocal benefits, a medium-term phase of mutual trust and cooperation, and a long-term phase of consultation and unification. Cross-strait integration still needs patience and work," the PFP chairman added.
While in Shanghai yesterday, Soong also spoke to the Taiwanese business community, where he promised to relay their concerns to the Chinese president and make six policy proposals to Hu during their upcoming meeting.
"I will do what I can to speak on your behalf. All members of the Taiwanese business community are Chinese people. On this issue, everyone should work together," he told the Taiwanese businesspeople.
The six proposals he plans to discuss with Hu reflect the needs of Taiwanese businesspeople and other Taiwanese in China, Soong said.
First, he will push for equal treatment and a guarantee of the rights of Taiwanese businesspeople. In particular, he will address the issue of double-taxation Taiwanese businesspeople face in reporting their incomes in both China and Taiwan. Second, he will push for the simplification and opening up of cross-strait trade. Third, the PFP chairman will request protection of the rights of Taiwanese investors in China. Fourth, he will discuss how to resolve visa and other travel problems encountered by Taiwanese citizens in China. Fifth, he will try to speed up the establishment of direct flights between Taiwan and China, and lastly, he will address the issue of Taiwanese students' university tuition and accreditation while studying in China.
Yesterday marked the end of the Shanghai leg of Soong's nine-day Chinese tour. After attending the discussion in Shanghai, Soong flew to his hometown of Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province. Yesterday was the first time Soong has returned to Changsha in over 50 years.
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