WITH reference to the April 15 article ("The harsh reality that Taiwan faces"), I wish to share some current developments in cross-strait relations.
Since assuming office in 2008, Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou has been promoting cross-strait peace and exchanges. During his seven-plus years in office, Taiwan and mainland China have signed 21 agreements and reached consensus on two issues. Over the same period, mainland Chinese travellers have made over 14 million visits to Taiwan. The number of exchange students from the Chinese mainland has also grown 40 times - from 823 to 32,000.
Taiwan, under Mr Ma, is presently enjoying a period of peace and prosperity unprecedented in the last 66 years.
Additionally, the ministers in charge of cross-strait relations from each side of the Taiwan Strait have held three formal meetings and established an institutionalised communication mechanism.
This is a concrete example of putting the policy of "mutual non-recognition of sovereignty, and mutual non-denial of governing authority" into practice, and represents a significant step in the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.
Opinion polls also show that the Taiwanese public view cross-strait peace and stability as conducive to the overall interests of Taiwan and its future development, and that they support the handling of issues related to cross-strait exchanges through institutionalised negotiations between the two sides.
Cross-strait relations and policies are shaped by both domestic and international considerations. The continual efforts of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have laid a solid foundation for both to work together pragmatically to ensure cross-strait and regional peace and prosperity.
This is unlikely to have significant changes, even if leadership changes were to occur. It is not correct to blame last year's municipal elections in Taiwan on Mr Ma's policy of forging closer cross-strait economic relations, as the factors involved are far more complicated.
Indeed, the Taiwanese government's substantive achievements in promoting cross-strait relations have made it possible for the United States to have amicable interactions with Taiwan and mainland China. The tangible, positive progress in cross-strait relations recently won the praise of Mr Daniel Russel, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.
As we look to the future, I firmly believe that, in the spirit of equality and reciprocity, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait can continue to work together in a pragmatic partnership to ensure cross-strait and regional peace and prosperity.
Hsieh Fa-dah
Representative
Taipei Representative Office in Singapore
