Mixed views from academics on success of cross-strait talks

Scholars from the mainland and the island were divided in their assessments of yesterday's meeting between Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou and mainland envoy Chen Yunlin , with one saying it had been 'creative' for Mr Chen to avoid addressing his host.

Zhang Tongxin , honorary director of Renmin University's Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau Research Centre, said Mr Chen's deliberate attempt to avoid addressing Mr Ma by using his official title was a creative approach to tackling the sensitive issue of political differences.

'Both sides stayed away from the issue they considered sensitive, yet they both stand firm in their stances,' said Professor Zhang. 'It's a way of showing each other respect by keeping silent on such a sensitive issue.'

Professor Zhang said the meeting had been a success, with the Taiwanese side making every effort to ensure it went well.

He was referring to the arrangement by Mr Ma to move the meeting forward by a few hours in an apparent attempt to avoid protests organised by the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party.

Some Taiwanese critics have argued that the recent high-level cross-strait exchanges have failed to achieve any political common ground and only focused on economic co-operation.

Li Jiaquan , researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the negotiations between the two sides had been conducted on the basis of 'one China'.