Zhao Chunshan. (Photo by Huang Xiaojun, China Review News Agency)
China Review News Agency, Taipei, January 27 (Reporter Huang Xiaojun) Taiwan media reported that the mainland has prepared plans, whether it is donating in the form of private to private, or whether it can be used to represent mainland domestic vaccines through Taiwanese compatriots, and provide mainland vaccines to Taiwan. Zhao Chunshan, chief consultant of the Asia-Pacific Peace Foundation, pointed out in an interview with China Review News Agency that this year is the best time for cross-strait resumption of talks, and the epidemic prevention of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait has done a good job in epidemic prevention. If we can prepare a good atmosphere for cooperation on vaccine issues and find negotiation opportunities, the future may allow cross-strait relations to "turn crisis into safety."
Zhao Chunshan told China News Service that this year is the best time for cross-strait negotiations, because the US government rotates and changes, and the US attitude is now clear. Campbell, the Indo-Pacific Affairs Coordinator of the US National Security Council, has already said that, including the White House, they all want cross-strait negotiations to resolve the problem, hoping that cross-strait negotiations will resolve the problem peacefully, etc. In the past, Trump had to fight alone with China in the era. Of course, he hoped that Taiwan would always rely on the United States and follow the American path, so Trump would not encourage cross-strait dialogue.
He said that now, Biden and have made a clear statement. In this case, if we resume dialogue with the mainland, the United States should turn resistance into help. This year is an important key point in the US policy. Biden does not rule out cooperation with China in many aspects, so it is a competitive and cooperative relationship. In this case, we should take the ride-hailing cooperation between the United States and China, and take the train. In this way, the US, China and the United States are good to both sides and the United States.
Zhao Chunshan said that Biden’s primary issue is actually not the China issue, but Europe, because his main European friends had bad relations with the United States in the past with the Trump era, including Germany’s withdrawal, Trump’s withdrawal from the group, and even trade issues. In December last year, we could clearly see that China and Europe signed an investment agreement. Europe must go its own way, and of course it will maintain its allies with the United States, but they also hope to go their own way.
He said that after the US government changes, their specific policies have not yet been formed, but whether it is Biden or Secretary of State Blinken, these American officials can see that there is a possibility of easing in the future of Sino-US relations. At least in terms of cooperation, there are several main directions of cooperation between China and the United States, such as the issue of climate change. The second issue about public health is vaccines and anti-epidemic cooperation.
He further pointed out that these are non-traditional security issues. The United States can cooperate with China in this regard. Why can’t the two sides of the Taiwan Strait do? These issues actually have no strong correlation with politics. If the two sides of the Taiwan Strait can be on the issue of the epidemic, it will be a vaccine now. When the epidemic just broke out in Wuhan, we had already missed many opportunities. The charter flight or mask issue not only did not improve the relationship between the two sides, but instead caused more mutual hatred among the people.
Zhao Chunshan said that the mainland currently has 500 million doses of vaccines exported to 17 countries, and there will be 1 billion doses of vaccines gradually. Since the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have achieved great results in epidemic prevention and control, this achievement is enjoyed by outsiders. Why are there no cooperation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait in this regard?
He said that cross-strait cooperation can develop better things, and the cooperation between the two sides can create a good atmosphere. Let’s not talk about political issues for now, because the two sides of the Taiwan Strait could open up the cross-strait deadlock in the past. At that time, Kinmen Agreement was made through the Red Cross. Now there are Strait Foundation and the Association for the Taiwan Straits on both sides. No matter which unit is used, the Red Cross is easy to use or the Straits Foundation. The two sides can start from the issue of people’s livelihood, find the starting point of bilateral negotiations and find negotiation opportunities, and be able to turn the current cross-strait relations into safety. He thinks this is a good start.
He stressed that the epidemic has had an impact on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and endangered the lives of the people, but it is not just a gift that fell down. The two sides should take advantage of this opportunity to negotiate.
Zhao Chunshan also said that the United States was the most important factor in the past. In the past, the hot potatoes were often thrown to Taiwan during the Trump era, especially before the former Secretary of State Pompeo was about to step down, and they also raised issues one after another. Of course, Taiwan is very happy that it can enhance Taiwan-US relations, but we don’t have to accept all the things as required. We accept them if it is good for Taiwan. If it is a hot potato, it will affect our cross-strait relations, so of course you can not accept it. Even in Taiwan-US relations, we have not obtained any actual things. Biden should not happen again in the future.
He said that of course, Taiwan needs to strengthen its relations with the United States, there is no doubt, but it is better if the two sides of the Taiwan Strait can solve their own affairs on their own? As for where the two sides of the Taiwan Strait will go politically in the future, it depends on the actual conditions and natural development.
Zhao Chunshan emphasized that basically he believes that he should take advantage of this opportunity this year. There is no election this year, and Tsai Ing-wen has no pressure to be re-election. He can create opportunities for cross-strait relations, whether it is future generations or the DPP in the future, no matter who takes this position, he can create opportunities, at least not keep the malicious spiral relationship in the past down.
He said that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait should not put relations to a dead end, and neither sides want to reach an uncontrollable level. Both sides know that since this is the case, the most important thing is opportunity. Once we miss the opportunity this year, "the opportunity must not be missed, and we will never come back." We have missed too many opportunities because it will be different from next year. After next year, the mainland will be busy with other things. The 20th National Congress will be held again, and Taiwan will also have a nine-in-one election next year. Once that time, the political atmosphere will be strong, and many problems will be pan-politicized.
Zhao Chunshan also said that the two sides should not fight alone or do their own things. Sometimes the time point of the conversation is very important. "It is also important to catch the topic and the other party is sincere. If the mainland wants to send Taiwan vaccines, we will express our gratitude. As for whether to use it or not, it is your business. Don't worry about whether Taiwanese businessmen will get an injection, don't say no immediately, and criticize it. This is not a good intention to be beaten by thunder. It is your business to ruin the relationship. The people don't want this.
He said that maybe Taiwan had to follow the United States in the past because everything was followed, and the United States also wanted to do so. We have no qualifications to fight against China, but we are not qualified to be a bargaining chip. Even Japan, Europe, etc., they all look at their own interests, and we also look at the interests of Taiwan and consider our own interests.
He pointed out that are there any differences between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait at present? Yes, but take it slowly, at least the crisis control is first. The two sides of the Taiwan Strait should find a stop loss point, don’t let the crisis expand, don’t let the misunderstanding deepen. Now is a good time. This year is the best time for a stop loss point, and the two sides can find a stop loss point this year.
