Fri, Feb 01, 2002 page12

• Editorial: More action, less talk needed

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  Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen (錢其琛) launched a new wave of propaganda in his recent speech marking the anniversary of Chinese President Jiang Zemin's (江澤民) "Eight Points." In last week's speech Qian welcomed DPP members to visit China, albeit in what he termed "appropriate status," and said Beijing would be willing to establish cross-strait mechanisms for economic cooperation in response to the entry of both China and Taiwan into the WTO. Vice President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤), Jiang's anointed heir, added his two cents at the same meeting, saying "localization" is different from Taiwan independence.

  Qian's remarks show that China's "united front" strategy against a DPP-ruled Taiwan has moved into a third phase.

  In phase one, Beijing was unwilling to have contact with the DPP and adopted an attitude of "listen to his [President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁)] talk; observe his actions." In phase two, China lobbied Taiwan's opposition parties and business leaders to form a "united front" to besiege the DPP. However, after the DPP backed up its presidential election win with success in December's legislative polls, China finally appeared to realize that it had misjudged the situation in Taiwan and, what's more, that it might still have to deal with Chen after 2004. Beijing has been forced to recognize that the DPP does represent the will of a majority of people in Taiwan.

  But does Qian's speech really mark a shift in policy? It is too early to say. His remarks only prove that the Chinese government is making some technical adjustments to its Taiwan policy -- the fundamental "one China" principle remains unchanged. The "united front" strategy is also likely to remain unchanged -- except that more practical means may be adopted to achieve the goal.

  It is also clear that Qian's speech set off a furor within the Chinese leadership, as indicated by reports that Jiang had raged against Qian's remarks and by the re-emergence of some hardline "one China"rhetoric. Zhang Mingqing (張銘清), spokesman for Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office, held a press conference on Wednesday to clarify that the "one China" principle was absolutely not negotiable and that now was not a good time for the two sides to resume talks.

  Zhang also said that the invitation for DPP mem-bers to visit China did not include either Chen or Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) because they are among what he called "a small number of die-hard Taiwan-independence activists." His comment clearly shows that Beijing hopes to sow discord in Taiwan -- and the DPP -- by trying to encourage "China fever" even as it blocks any hope of Chen or Lu making a visit. This is clearly sugar-coated poison.

  The government's best response to Beijing's stratagem is just to listen and watch. Taiwan has repeatedly demonstrated its goodwill -- and willingness to hold talks without preconditions -- but it has yet to see any similar gestures from across the Strait. If there was any sincerity behind Qian's remarks, then Beijing will be willing to discuss the establishment of cross-strait economic-cooperation mechanisms as a way of establishing trust. The two sides could then gradually begin to negotiate, through channels such as the WTO or the Straits Exchange Foundation (海基會).

  Less ideology, less politics and less controversy are needed in order to improve cross-strait relations -- as well as more contact, more goodwill and more economic and trade exchanges. It will take more than words in Beijing to close the gap between Taiwan and China. Only actions taken with good intentions can build a bridge of peace between the two sides.
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