The premiers of the two countries held their first dialogue in over 60 years in Singapore
For the first time in over half a century, the leaders of the two countries attempted to solve their innumerable differences that have arisen over the years, early on Saturday. The Chinese President, Xi Jinping and the Taiwanese President, Ma Ying-jeou, shared smiles and a handshake as they entered the meeting room. Said Mr. Ma to the Chinese president, “Both sides should respect each other’s values and way of life.” “We are one family”, Mr. Xi replied.
For decades, Taiwan has been considered as a breakaway state from China, while the Taiwanese have always stood strong on their independence. The two states partitioned in 1949, after the Kuomintang (KMT) party lost the elections to the Chinese Communist Party and set up an independent government in Taiwan. Despite several attempts at reconciliation from both sides, the pathos amongst the people only deteriorated. However, it is very recently, since 2008, that there has been some progress. In 2008, after Mr. Ma took the leadership, the two east-Asian states have seen improved economic and trade relations and tourism.
Photo: Chiang Ying-ying/AP
Yet, as the meeting was announced, there were protests from people on both sides, especially the Taiwanese people; they held demonstrations at the Songshan airport in Taipei and near the parliament building—some demonstrators tried to force themselves into the building. the people resorted to burning posters of the two leaders. However, there was one small congregation who chanted slogans in favour of the meeting. Overall, though, as shown by the media in China, the reaction to the meeting was largely positive in comparison to the miscellaneous reaction from Taiwan, wherein activists and opponents have demanded the President to boycott the rendez-vous. Commented the Chinese Communist party’s mouthpiece the People’s Daily, “The Xi-Ma meeting has excited Chinese people worldwide… Applause will be heard globally for the victory of peace and rationality.”
The KMT, which is seen by most as a pro-Beijing party, was defeated in the last elections in Taiwan by a massive margin. Accepted as a protest against Mr. Ma’s efforts to improve ties between the two nations, the Taiwanese were greatly disappointed and anxious about the rise in the influence that China has on the country’s leadership. In this light, officials revealed that in the meeting. the two premiers addressed each other as Mr. Xi and Mr. Ma rather than as presidents.
The main topic of discussion was devoid of any formal deals and agreements but was only based on the promotion of peace and harmony between the countries. Officials carefully emphasized that the talks did not include the discord over the south China Sea. Essentially, though, Taiwan asked for deliberations over the placement of missiles aimed at Taiwan by China. Requests to China to acknowledge Taiwan’s international presence were also a focal point. Stated Mr. Ma,” We hope that the leaders of the countries will move forward and take the first step in the normalization of ties.”
The historically prominent rendez-vous was set to mark another era in the China-Taiwan relations.
Source: BBC
Tags: China Chinese President Ma Ying-jeou taiwan Taiwanese President Xi Jinping
