Chiang's feat will not fade

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(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-05-08 07:50

Chiang Pin-kung, chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), tendered his resignation on Monday. However, his feat of bringing benefits to people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits will never fade from public memory. The positive tone he helped to set for the cross-Straits relationship will be carried forward, says an article in Shanghai Morning Post. Excerpts:

Chiang's resignation came at the close of the third round of the Chen -Chiang meeting, when cross-Straits relationship is getting warm and people are anticipating a new round of talks towards more and more win-win opportunities for both sides. As a result, the reasons for his resignation are still shrouded in controversy.

Sure, this issue is more than complicated, considering the background of the political struggles in Taiwan as well as Chiang's personal situation. It is possible that Chiang would quit from the SEF (Straits Exchange Foundation). But the momentum of the cross-Straits relationship will not be lost.

Although some parties and politicians in Taiwan stubbornly cling to the position of "independence," hindering the improvement and development of the cross-Straits relations by whatever means possible, the tendency of closer collaboration in a range of areas between the two sides is irreversible.

A series of agreements and consensus on a number of issues have made for initial success on several tracks, including commencement of direct flights and opening Taiwan tourism to mainlanders. The negotiation on inducting mainland capital into Taiwan has also achieved substantive progress. Admittedly, all these achievements are said to be due to Chiang's great efforts. But, we should also recognize that these are not the results of a single person's will and power. These accomplishments are due to the inevitability of the development of cross-Straits cooperation.

Chiang may quit the post, but his achievements will be remembered.

(China Daily 05/08/2009 page8)