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Easing Cross-Strait Deadlock: People May Expect But Cannot Be Optimistic

icon2018/02/27
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  Easing Cross-Strait Deadlock: People May Expect But Cannot Be Optimistic

 

China Times Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan)

February 25, 2018

 Translation of an Excerpt

 

We may use "seeking stability domestically and seeking changes in cross-Strait affairs" to define the government reshuffle this time. The changes under the purview of the Premier were not big, only making adjustments in the Labor Ministry and the Veteran Affairs Commission. While in the national security system under the purview of the president, including national defense, foreign affairs, the Mainland Affairs Council, presidential secretary-general, and the secretary-general of the National Security Council, were completely reshuffled. Thus, we can see that President Tsai is anxious to seek changes in external and cross-Strait relations.

 

"Peaceful reunification" has become the top strategic goal of Xi Jinping. Nevertheless, in the objective situation, Taiwan, however, flows toward the direction of "peaceful independence;" thus, "forestalling independence and promoting reunification" has become the Mainland’s medium and short term important task. From recent statements by the new leadership involving Taiwan affairs, we may find that the Mainland will have proactive actions in the areas managing U.S.-Taiwan relations, Taiwan-Japan relations and "forestalling independence and promoting reunification." President Tsai Ying-wen should have a grasp of the Mainland's deployment.

 

Joseph Wu’s taking over the foreign affairs portfolio aims at coping with the ever increasingly complex trilateral US-China-Taiwan relations, as well as the impact of the new cross-Strait situation on Taiwan’s diplomatic environment. On the one hand, it is a diplomatic crisis with the Holy See and the possible chain reaction following the severance of diplomatic ties. On the other hand, it is the impact of U.S. and Japan’s moves on Taiwan. Mainland Affairs Council Chairman Chen Ming-tung has returned to his old post; it also signifies that the Tsai government hopes to do something vis-à-vis cross-Strait issues.

 

President Tsai insists that she has exhibited maximum goodwill toward the Mainland, but we still hope that the high-level personnel reshuffle this time shows that President Tsai intends to withdraw her answer sheet to the cross-Strait questionnaire she originally claimed to have completed. If so, it would show a ray of hope in breaking through the cross-Strait impasse. With regard to whether cross-Strait issues can be taken out of the freezer, it will depend on the next move of the Tsai government, as well as the Mainland’s assessment and response.

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