The SEF held the "2023 Chinese New Year Event for Taiwanese Businessmen from Mainland China" today. President Tsai Ing-wen (2nd from right) and Chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council Qiu Taisan (1st from right), Acting Chairman of the SEF Xu Shengxiong (2nd from left) and Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Meihua (Left 1) Attending together, during the meeting, President Tsai raised a toast to all the guests present.

(Photo by reporter Tian Yuhua)

[Reporter Luo Tianbin/Taipei Report] When President Tsai Ing-wen attended the "2023 Chinese New Year Event for Taiwanese Entrepreneurs from Mainland China" hosted by the SEF today, she emphasized that under rationality, equality, and mutual respect, "we are willing to start a dialogue with the Beijing authorities and seek mutual cooperation. accepted as a feasible way to promote peace and stability in the region".

Hong Qichang, former chairman of the SEF, said that he expects the two sides of the strait and the two sessions to seek creative measures on operable issues on a rational and pragmatic basis to break through the deadlock between the two governments.

On the "operable" issue, Hong Qichang believes that the orderly restart of social and official exchanges between the two sides of the strait is a good thing for the mutual benefit of both sides.

For example: the normalization of the mini-three links, and the opening of mainland tourists to Taiwan for sightseeing and so on.

As for the existing four air transport destinations on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, they can be gradually expanded to nearly 50 before the epidemic.

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He said that both the mini-three links and the resumption of airline destinations involve CIQS (customs, license inspection, personnel and animal and plant quarantine, security inspection, and aviation security) negotiations between the two sides of the strait, and it requires the joint efforts of the two small associations on both sides of the strait.

For this reason, the resumption of exchanges between the governments of the two sides of the Strait should be a pragmatic measure that political leaders on both sides of the Strait should jointly promote.

For example, the Chinese side allows the affairs officials of the SEF to go to China, and our side allows the government personnel of prefecture-level cities (municipalities directly under the Central Government and below the provincial level) in China to come to Taiwan.

The Central Epidemic Command Center recently announced that it will cancel the PCR screening measures for passengers entering China from 2/7. The MAC will also evaluate the feasibility of expanding the application of the small three links after the Spring Festival project falls.

Hong Qichang pointed out today that at a time when the global epidemic is slowing down and countries are striving for recovery and revitalization, if cross-strait people's exchanges and exchanges can be restarted in an orderly manner, it will actually create a favorable environment for Taiwan's economic and trade development and ease the situation in the Indo-Pacific.

Looking forward to the new personnel layout of the new cabinet team for cross-strait affairs, to give play to creativity and determination, to create operable cross-strait ice-breaking issues, and to usher in a spring for cross-strait relations.

He said that "peaceful protection of Taiwan" and democracy, peace, and prosperity are the cross-strait policy propositions of Lai Qingde, the new chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party.

Lai, as the most popular 2024 presidential candidate in the Democratic Progressive Party, this proposition is undoubtedly a well-intentioned and responsible expression, emphasizing the pragmatism and stability of the government and the DPP team in cross-strait politics and not provocative aggressiveness; Defend the basic principles of democracy, freedom, and sovereignty; what is even more worth looking forward to is that Chairman Lai of the Democratic Progressive Party and the party's cross-strait policy line can set the tone on this basis, with the purpose of continuously pursuing the promotion of peaceful and stable development across the strait, and looking forward to the healthy social and economic exchanges between the two sides of the strait Strive for the resumption of meaningful dialogue, consultation and cooperation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Hong Qichang believes that all parties should be aware that the current cross-Strait relations continue to approach the critical point of conflict, which is not conducive to the overall situation of Indo-Pacific and global peace and prosperity, and even runs counter to the respective priority policy goals of Taiwan or mainland China.

As far as Taiwan is concerned, Taiwan's ruling and opposition parties should realize that mutual attacks on cross-strait policies that prioritize the interests of their respective parties will only encourage the radical camps of all parties to escalate political confrontation, and will not benefit regional stability and peaceful development.

He expects that political leaders on both sides of the strait should put the well-being of the people first, and jointly think about feasible solutions to replace confrontation with dialogue, exchanges, and cooperation, and jointly seek regional peace and prosperity.

Regarding the cabinet reshuffle, Hong Qichang said that from a "pragmatic" point of view, Chen Chien-jen's Cabinet's Mainland Affairs Council and the SEF arranged for it, and the remaining Chairman Qiu Taisan has always been mature and prudent, which reflects President Tsai Ing-wen's expectation of cross-strait relations The spirit of "seeking stability while maintaining stability".

Chairman Li Dawei, who was transferred from the Secretary-General of the Presidential Office to the SEF, and Qiu Chuizheng, who was transferred to the SEF Secretary-General, one is skilled in international political affairs and foreign affairs, the other has long been involved in cross-strait practical work, and has long-term and profound research on the situation in mainland China Both of them are candidates for exchanges with mainland China who can grasp principles and show pragmatism and softness.

It is hoped that the two sides of the Strait and the two sessions will seek creative measures on operable issues on a rational and pragmatic basis to break through the deadlock between the two governments.

He believes that exchanges and contacts are the only way to resolve misunderstandings and find consensus.

It is expected that the new cabinet officials who are excellent and skilled in international and cross-strait affairs, as well as Taiwan-related officials after the Chinese side's change of office, can bring new atmosphere to the stability and positive development of cross-strait relations from various practical and operable issues.

When President Tsai Ing-wen attended the "2023 Chinese New Year Event for Taiwanese Entrepreneurs from Mainland China" hosted by the SEF today, she emphasized that "we are willing to start a dialogue with the Beijing authorities to jointly seek a feasible way that is acceptable to both sides and can promote regional peace and stability."

Hong Qichang, former chairman of the SEF, said that he expects the two sides of the strait to seek creative measures on operable issues on a rational and pragmatic basis, so as to break through the deadlock between the two governments.

(file photo)