Beijing reiterates importance of '1992 consensus'

Jia Qinglin, who heads China's top political advisory body set the tone of the forum in his opening speech by stressing that both sides must oppose Taiwan's independence and recognize the so-called 1992 consensus.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said only with the anti-independence and one-China platform can both sides set aside differences and create a beneficial environment for cooperation.

The one-China consensus refers to a tacit understanding both sides reached in a meeting in 1992. The agreement recognizes that there is only “one China” but left its meaning open to different interpretations.

Jia's remarks may be a formality, but they can also be seen as a response to a latest proposal to handling cross-strait ties from the pro-independence camp.

Joseph Wu, a former top official governing Taipei's China policy under the pro-independence DPP administration, recently proposed an approach neglecting the 1992 consensus and taking a step back from the semi-official status of cross-strait negotiations.

Wu's proposal is seen as a trial balloon released by DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen — who will represent the party in the 2012 presidential poll — to test China's response ahead of the cross-strait economic and cultural forum.

The forum taking place in Chengdu, capital of China's Sichuan Province, saw participation of high-level officials from both sides, with a major focus on further opening Taiwan to tourists from China.

“The forum has made its contribution, providing reference in formulating policies for both governments,” Wu Poh-hsiung, honorary chairman of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) and head of Taiwan's delegation, said while addressing the opening ceremony.

Wu said that views offered at the past six cross-strait economic and cultural forums have become major policies for both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

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