Rethinking the Cross-Strait Relationship

Lung-chu Chen

Recently, I went to the United States to attend a conference on "Rethinking the Cross-Strait Relationship." The conference was convened by the Council on Foreign Relations, with the support of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the United States Institute of Peace. The meeting was held at The Pocantico Conference Center in Tarrytown, New York. 31 participants were invited, including 22 from Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong, as well as 9 Americans. The meeting was conducted on an off-the-record basis to encourage frank and fruitful exchanges.

Three days and three nights, from breakfast until the bedtime, the dialogue centered on the relations among Taiwan, China, and the United States. I was struck with the following thoughts.

First, the participants were deeply concerned, or worried about, the current cross-strait relations. With the escalating military confrontation, is "a Greek tragedy" in the making?

Second, both sides of the Taiwan Strait share a fundamental common interest—that is, peace. Not surrender in the guise of peace, but peace with justice.

Third, such broad concepts as "state sovereignty," "one country, two systems," "special state-to-state relationship," "self-determination of peoples," or even "peaceful coexistence" are highly controversial. But, they cannot be altogether swept under the rug. Having the courage to face the reality and to speak one's own conviction will win the respect of others.

Fourth, many participants felt there would be a "window of opportunity" for improving the cross-strait relationship after Taiwan's presidential election. The leaders of both Taiwan and China should show goodwill to each other. Establish mutual trust first, then clarify and implement the common interests.

Fifth, the peace in the Taiwan Strait and Asian Pacific areas is not a matter between Taiwan and China alone. It concerns the United States, Japan, and other countries.

Finally, where there is a will, there is a way. Faced with an extraordinary situation, the leader and people of Taiwan must have self-confidence, demonstrate their wisdom, courage, and determination.