Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou, in a 'Double Ten' address on Saturday, emphasised the improvement in cross-strait relations since he assumed office last year. But he also counselled patience, noting that differences between Taipei and Beijing 'are rooted in historical factors that cannot be overcome all at once'.
This is true. So far, Beijing has shown pragmatism by being willing to move forward with Taiwan on the basis of the '1992 consensus,' under which both Taipei and Beijing affirm their support for 'one China' without saying what that means. Using the '1992 consensus' as a fig leaf to cover up their basic disagreement, the two sides have been able to reach accords on such things as air travel and tourism, and are soon to discuss the signing of an economic co-operation framework agreement.
However, it is way too soon to expect political negotiations between the two sides. Ma, in his inaugural address last year, had cited the principle of 'no unification, no independence and no use of force' to maintain the status quo, making it clear that he would not engage in political negotiations with Beijing.
However, President Hu Jintao in December made a six-point proposal that calls for political negotiations, which are meant to lead to a peace agreement.
The first of Hu's six points was 'firm adherence to the 'one China' principle,' which to Beijing of course means that Taiwan is part of the People's Republic of China. There was no mention of the '1992 consensus'.
Under the so-called consensus, Taiwan is free to say that 'one China' refers to the Republic of China, which was the government formed on the mainland in 1911 and which was forced to relocate to Taiwan after the communist victory in the Chinese civil war, while Beijing of course would say that 'one China' refers to the People's Republic of China.
But unless Hu is willing to accept the '1992 consensus' instead of 'one China', there is no possibility of reaching political accord. In fact, there is even no basis for the two sides to hold political negotiations.
