For some time, due to the DPP authorities refusing to recognize or even deny the "1992 Consensus" that embodies the one-China principle, there have been misunderstandings such as "the '1992 Consensus' outdated theory" on Taiwan. Relevant people who have personally experienced the process of reaching the "1992 Consensus" and witnessed the "1992 Consensus" leading the development of cross-strait relations in a recent interview pointed out that the "1992 Consensus" is a stabilizing needle for the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, play an irreplaceable role, and are also the solution to alleviate the current tension and break the cross-strait deadlock.
Data picture Sun Moon Lake Xinhua News Agency Photo by Liu Junxi
Interviewed person pointed out that the "1992 Consensus" built a common political foundation for the development of cross-strait relations, directly promoting the successful holding of the "Wang-Guo Talks" in April 1993, promoting cross-strait relations to take a historic important step, and playing an important role in promoting cross-strait exchanges and cooperation and establishing an institutionalized consultation and contact mechanism.
Regrettably, in June 1995, Lee Teng-hui visited the United States openly to carry out activities to create "two Chinas", seriously betrayed the "1992 Consensus", undermining the political foundation of cross-strait consultations, and resulting in the second "Wang-Ku Talks" arranged in consultation and cross-strait consultations being interrupted. In July 1999, Lee Teng-hui introduced the "two-state theory", which made cross-strait relations more turbulent. After Chen Shui-bian came to power in 2000, he refused to recognize the "1992 Consensus" and implemented the so-called "constitutional reform" and "referendum to the United Nations" separatist activities such as "legal Taiwan independence" and pushed cross-strait relations to the brink of danger, making it difficult to restore consultations between the two sessions and peace in the Taiwan Strait under serious threat.
In 2005, the leaders of the Kuomintang and the Communist Party held historic talks after 60 years, jointly issued the "Common Vision of Peaceful Development Cross-Strait", clearly declaring that both sides adhere to the "1992 Consensus" and oppose "Taiwan independence", playing a leading role in cross-strait relations embarking on the path of peaceful development. In 2008, there were major positive changes in cross-strait relations. The two sides of the Taiwan Strait once again confirmed their adherence to the "1992 Consensus", and cross-strait relations thus created a new situation of peaceful development.
Recalling the process of resuming negotiations in the 2008 Two Sessions, Li Yafei, vice president of the Association for Discipline Inspection and the then Secretary-General of the Association for Discipline Inspection and the Association for Discipline Inspection and the Association for Discipline Inspection and the Kuomintang returned to power, and the turbulent cross-strait relations have taken a major turning point. On May 26 of that year, the Straits Foundation wrote a letter to the Straits Association, clearly stating that "we hope that our two sessions will resume institutionalized consultations as soon as possible on the basis of the '1992 Consensus'." On May 29, the Association for Distribution and Development of Taiwan replied to the Straits Foundation, expressing its agreement to "resuming contacts and negotiations between the two sessions on the basis of the '1992 Consensus' as soon as possible." The two sides of the Taiwan Strait once again made it clear that they adhered to the "1992 Consensus" attitude. The consultations of the two sessions have a common political foundation. The two sessions, which had been interrupted for nearly ten years, were resumed in mid-June.
In the next eight years, the Two Sessions held 11 talks on the basis of adhering to the common politics of the "1992 Consensus", signed 23 agreements, reached a series of consensuses, solved many practical issues that concern the vital interests of compatriots on both sides of the strait, improved the institutionalization level of cross-strait exchanges and cooperation, and promoted major progress and fruitful results in cross-strait relations. The two sides of the Taiwan Strait have achieved comprehensive, direct and two-way "three links", which will encourage mainland residents to travel to Taiwan, build a cross-strait economic cooperation mechanism, and start a big exchange situation.
With the increase in political mutual trust between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, cross-strait exchanges and cooperation have continued to deepen, and new breakthroughs have been made in the peaceful development of cross-strait relations. In February 2014, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the Mainland Affairs Commission of Taiwan established a normalized communication mechanism. On November 7, 2015, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President Xi Jinping held a historic meeting with Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou. This meeting is an important milestone in the development of cross-strait relations, marking the development of cross-strait relations to a new height, writing a historic page in cross-strait relations, and opening up new space for the development of cross-strait relations. Zhang Zhijun, president of the Association for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council at that time. When reviewing the relevant situation, he said that without the "1992 Consensus", there would be no communication mechanism between the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the Mainland Affairs Council, and it would be even less likely that there would be a historic meeting between the leaders of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. During the meeting, both leaders of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait talked about the important role of adhering to the "1992 Consensus" in maintaining cross-strait relations in the right direction.The first of the four opinions put forward by General Secretary Xi Jinping on the development of cross-strait relations during the meeting was to "uphold the common political foundation of cross-straits without wavering", and clearly pointed out that the key to achieving peaceful development of cross-strait relations in the past seven years is that the two sides have established a common political foundation for adhering to the "1992 Consensus" and opposing "Taiwan independence". Without this stabilizing needle, the boat of peaceful development will encounter stormy waves and even completely overturn. Mr. Ma Ying-jeou said that the "1992 Consensus" is the common political foundation for achieving peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait, and the two sides of the Taiwan Strait must consolidate the "1992 Consensus." The leaders of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait jointly confirm that adhering to the "1992 Consensus" is of great significance and its importance is also proved by the development and changes in cross-strait relations in recent years.
Zhang Zhijun pointed out that the "1992 Consensus" is an important exploration made by the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to end political confrontation and improve and develop cross-strait relations. The reason why the "1992 Consensus" is that it accurately answers the fundamental nature of cross-strait relations. The key to this consensus was that both sides clearly stated their attitude on the major issue of adhering to the one-China principle, and at the same time properly handled some differences, reflecting great inclusiveness and kindness. This not only conforms to objective facts, but also conforms to the respective regulations of both sides. At the same time, it allows the two sides to temporarily shelve certain political differences, build a political foundation and basic mutual trust for interaction, open the door to dialogue and consultation, maintain peace and stability of cross-strait relations, deepen cross-strait exchanges and cooperation, and continuously benefit compatriots on both sides of the strait.
"In his important speech at the commemoration meeting for the 40th anniversary of the publication of the "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan", General Secretary Xi Jinping once again expressed his position and attitude to attach great importance to and adhere to the 1992 Consensus, and solemnly advocated that on the basis of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing 1992 Consensus, all political parties and sectors on the 1992 Consensus on the common political basis, elect representatives from all walks of life, carry out extensive and in-depth democratic consultations on cross-strait relations and the future of the nation, and reached institutional arrangements for promoting the peaceful development of cross-strait relations. This shows that the 1992 Consensus is of fundamental significance to breaking the deadlock in cross-strait relations, opening up a new situation of peaceful development of cross-strait relations, and promoting the process of national reunification." Zhang Zhijun said.
Unification is the general trend of history and the right way. "Taiwan independence" is a historical countercurrent and a dead end. I hope that Taiwan compatriots will recognize the essence and harm of "Taiwan independence", grasp the trend of the times for the development of cross-strait relations, work hand in hand with mainland compatriots, follow the historical trend, share the national justice, and jointly pursue the bright prospects of the Chinese nation.
(Original title: "1992 Consensus" is the decisive force for cross-strait relations and the solution to break the deadlock)
Source: Beijing Daily According to Xinhua News Agency
Process Editor: u020
