Messages mean more than just a ceremonial exchange of goodwill

In a congratulatory message to the chairman-elect of the Kuomintang in Taiwan, Communist Party of China General Secretary Xi Jinping expressed the hope that both parties will continue to adhere to the 1992 Consensus and resolutely fight against "Taiwan independence" .

In his return message, Wu Den-yih said the two parties should keep deepening the consensus on one China and seek to institutionalize cross-Straits peace.

Ceremonial as it looks, this exchange of pledges of commitment to the 1992 Consensus is essential after the recent confusion created by local media about Wu's faith in one China.