Springtime in cross-strait ties

First, a pair of giant pandas have finally arrived in Taiwan from their home in Sichuan in a hoopla rarely seen on this island for decades. Tuan-tuan and Yuan-yuan flew in by special plane directly (thanks to the three mini-links) just before Christmas to their new, six-star residence at the Mucha Zoo in suburban Taipei. Their arrival is a harbinger of cross-strait spring because of the political climate change. Ma Ying-jeou of the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang won an overwhelming mandate in the presidential election last March, paving the way for the pandas' long-awaited journey to Taiwan. Ma's predecessor, Chen Shui-bian of the separatist Democratic Progressive Party, viewed the gift from China as a Trojan horse.

Second, the long-heralded Santong, or three direct transport, trade-investment and postal links across the Strait, became reality last month after a six-decade ban. With the establishment of direct air and shipping service, Taipei and Shanghai are as close as New York and Chicago. Tourism and trade are expected to boom and people of the two sides will be drawn closer.

More important, perhaps, is the unmistakable message from mainland Chinese president Hu Jintao, who indicated on Wednesday that Taiwan's aspiration for participation in international activities, or “greater international space” in Taiwan's parlance, could be realized through cross-strait negotiations.

Indeed, Jan. 1, 1979 was a momentous day for both sides. Besides the historic open letter that marked the ending of the shelling of Kinmen by the People's Liberation Army since 1958, the day also marked America's diplomatic recognition of China, a nightmarish day for Taiwan which suffered its worst diplomatic setback since its ouster from the United Nations in 1971.

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