Editorial | A chance to improve cross-strait relations
- If mainland China and Taiwan are to reach a political solution that reduces dangerous tensions, people-to-people exchanges are a good first step
People-to-people exchanges are the staple recipe for improving understanding between nations despite any number of differences – political, cultural and economic.
But rarely do they face obstacles like those between mainland China and Taiwan. Amid dangerously heightened tensions, there are moves to revive them after a pause of three years.
Former Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou broke the ice more than three months ago with a 12-day private visit to mainland China accompanied by about 30 Taiwan students. He voiced hope that exchanges between young people would ease tensions.
This sentiment is about to be put to the test by a nine-day visit to Taiwan beginning at the weekend by a delegation of 36 students and faculty members from five mainland China universities, at the invitation of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation.
The visit, organised by mainland China universities, has Beijing’s support, with Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Chen Binhua saying it could promote resumed exchanges on both sides, according to state media.
Coming before Taiwan’s elections early next year, the issue of people exchanges is politically charged, amid suspicion of attempts to sway the vote. Taiwan’s ruling, independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party remains cautious.