As long as continued efforts are made to constantly strengthen virtuous cross-Strait exchange, China will ultimately be reunified at the ripe time by relying on the wisdom and intelligence of the Chinese people, said Ma Ying-jeou, mayor of Taipei City, Monday in Taiwan. Personages clamoring for "Taiwan independence" lack the common sense of history, they are all the more cherishing evil intent, noted Ma.
Reports say that at the symposium "Face to Face Talk With Mayor Ma" sponsored by a Malaysian Chinese organization, some audiences also noted that most people of Taiwan's younger generation are currently influenced by the strong localization, especially the idea about "Taiwan independence". They themselves have set up a provincial fence, stressing that they themselves are "nationals of the Taiwan State". This action, without doubt, is playing with fire and distressing members of overseas Chinese organizations.
Ma Ying-jeou added that in a history of more than 3,000 years, China did have experienced many incidents of separation and reunion, with the period of separation accounting for 35 percent and the phase of reunion for 65 percent. both separation and reunion were brought about by force. However, since the beginning of the 21st Century, both sides of the Taiwan Straits have witnessed a high level of economic growth, more importantly, globalization and the concept of democratic freedom have taken root in the hearts of the people across the Straits.
Both governmental and non-governmental contacts between the two sides over the past 20 years are unprecedented for half a century, said Mayor Ma. Although open three-links have not been realized, the records of letters and telephones exchanged across the Straits have been doubled or tripled each year. There are more than 60 flights leaving Taiwan for Hong Kong every day. The number will certainly continue to increase in the future.
In the past, Taiwan people traveled to Europe and the United States, Ma pointed out, but now, they are busy handling cross-Strait business. The rate of cross-Straits intermarriages has surged year after year. Bilateral trade volume has reached US$30 billion, of which. Taiwan holds a surplus of US$15 billion.
Such increasing interactive activities and expanding exchanges have deepened understanding and broadened demand among the people. When the disparity in social life styles is narrowed, people no more want to see any terrifying waves. Once the time is ripe, the two sides of the Straits will naturally be re-unified.
Monday's gathering, which was originally planned for 700 people, was finally moved to Golden Horses Kuala Lumpur Royal Hotel. With nearly 2,000 attendees, the meeting was filled with a very lively atmosphere.
(People's Daily 08/07/2001)
