(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-04-29 07:31

Everything indicates to a favorable change in the relations between the mainland and Taiwan.

Following on the heels of Vincent Siew, chairman of the Taiwan-based cross-Straits Common Market Foundation, former chairman of Taiwan's Kuomintang party (KMT) Lian Chan came to Beijing yesterday. Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), is expected to meet him today, which would be the fourth meeting between them since Lian's historic trip to the mainland in 2005.

The sculpture created by a Taiwanese artist they will unveil in Beijing's Olympic park is symbolic of the cross-Straits peace.

The profile of Lian's entourage, which includes business and KMT heavyweights such as Vice-Chairperson Lin Yi-shih, has raised expectations on improving relations between the mainland and Taiwan. The pro-independence remarks and actions by outgoing Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian led to the cooling of cross-Straits ties for eight years.

The recent contact between the mainland and Taiwan has sent out a positive signal.

The private talks between Hu Jintao and Vincent Siew concentrated on economic issues and spoke volumes for the two sides' wish to have more economic cooperation.

When Lian traveled to the mainland in 2005 as the first KMT leader to do so, the two parties issued a statement agreeing to push for cross-Straits talks and to seek closer ties in trade, tourism and other areas.

But the two sides could hardly get their wishes realized as long as Chen Shui-bian had been throwing a spanner in the works.

The KMT, which is due to assume office in Taiwan on May 20, has pledged to improve relations with the mainland, increase cross-Straits trade, tourism and transport links.

We wish it will honor its words.

The contact between the CPC and the KMT is constructive for moving the mainland and island closer. And the two have been working hard to maintain the momentum.

Hu extended his congratulations to Wu Poh-hsiung when he was elected KMT's chairman last year. Hu delivered a clear message that the two parties should work together for peaceful and steady development of cross-Straits relations.

His message fell on the right ears. Responding to Hu, Wu vowed for peace and development across the Taiwan Straits.

The news that Wu is to visit the mainland in June may add to building the right ambience for talks between the two sides.

It is a welcome sign that the mainland and Taiwan are showing good will, pragmatism and flexibility to steer their relations in the right direction.

(China Daily 04/29/2008 page8)