Negotiation key to peaceful cross-Strait relations

BEIJING/ TAIPEI - Negotiations serve as a major channel for the mainland and Taiwan to realize the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, China's top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng said Friday.

Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks while meeting with representatives of a council meeting of the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS).

The meeting also marked the 20th anniversary of the historic "Wang-Koo meeting."

In April 1993, ARATS President Wang Daohan and the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Koo Chen-fu held the "Wang-Koo meeting" in Singapore. It was the first public meeting between leaders of the two organizations.

Yu said the spirit manifested in the epoch-making "Wang-Koo meeting" -- namely, replacing confrontation with dialogue and forging cooperation through negotiations -- still guides the development of cross-Strait relations and will continue to do so in the future.

He also expressed hope that both sides of the Taiwan Strait will press ahead with new developments achieved through negotiations and jointly promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and that compatriots on the mainland and in Taiwan will make concerted efforts to realize the "Chinese dream," the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The ARATS elected former Commerce Minister Chen Deming as its president at the meeting. Founded in 1990 and 1991, respectively, the SEF and the ARATS are non-governmental organizations authorized by Taiwan and the mainland to engage in cross-Strait talks.

On Friday, the SEF announced that it will hold a ceremony on April 29 to commemorate the "Wang-Koo meeting," which will be attended by Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou.

The SEF president Lin Join-sane will preside over the ceremony, according to a statement from the SEF.

The wife of the late SEF president Koo Chen-fu and the son of the late ARATS president Wang Daohan will also be invited to the ceremony.

"The 'Wang-Koo meeting' set a milestone for cross-Strait relations. It laid the foundation for the current peaceful and prosperous development of cross-Strait relations," the SEF statement said. On April 29, academics will also gather at a symposium organized by the SEF to discuss the historical meaning of the "Wang-Koo meeting," and put forward suggestions for the future development of cross-Strait relations.

The Taipei Forum Foundation said it will also conduct activities on April 28 celebrating the 20th anniversary of the "Wang-Koo meeting." A number of academics from the mainland, led by Sun Yafu, vice director of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, will participate in the activities.