By Xuefei Chen Axelsson
STOCKHOLM, Nov. 9(Greenpost)–Chinese leaders Xi Jinping from the Mainland and Ma Yingjiu from Taiwan shook hands on Nov. 7 during a meeting in Singapore.
This scene has been spread all over the world among Chinese and overseas Chinese. It has been such a striking historical scene.
Many people say the handshaking was the first time since 1949. Some others think this was the first time since the Chongqing meeting between Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai-skek.
This meeting was arranged under very careful consideration by the two sides. First, the two leaders just call themselves leader, not president. They call themselves Sir, not comrade. It shows the eagerness from Taiwan side to be closer to the Mainland and the humbleness from the Mainland to be closer to Taiwan.
It is well-known that the Mainland has always welcome Taiwan to come back and never abandon the idea to unite Taiwan to the Greater China, even with the principle of “one country, two systems” like Hong Kong.
People in the Mainland always treats Taiwan as an indispensable, inalienable part of China. If Taiwan wants to be independent, the Mainland will even resort to force.
So there is no problem for the mainland to open its arms to hug Taiwan. But for a long time, Taiwan has been very advanced and didn’t like to be too close with the mainland except to do business.
However, with the rapid development of the mainland over the past 30 years, to be united or to clear the hurdle of all kinds has become the common call of people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Even ten years ago, I talked with a Taiwan Primary School teacher.
“I think we should have direct flight so that I won’t travel home through South Korea or Hong Kong.” She said.
Another woman who worked in Shenzhen said she felt at home in the Mainland.
“I work in Shen Zhen, it feels at home. I have no problem to be in the Mainland. There are a lot of working opportunities here. ”
Chinese economy has spilt over great attraction for the Taiwanese. Meanwhile, Taiwan also becomes very attractive.
Tens of thousands of mainland Chinese would like to choose Hong Kong and Taiwan as its first choice to go abroad because it is nearby, people talk common language and the most important is that it is not that expensive.
Chinese people do not fly to Europe or America immediately if they travel as a tourist due to language barrier and economic reasons.
Thus, there is such a strong demand among people to be convenient to step on each other’s soil.
There is strong emotions between the two sides too. Many Chinese in the mainland remember that song of Gu Lang Yu. And it was so popular in the mainland in the 1980s. They call it “Treasure Island Taiwan”.
Finally people see the shaking hands of the two handsome leaders feeling like real brothers.
In his speech, Xi said that the two sides have the capability and wisdom to solve their own problems indicating that there is no need to have outside intervention.
Xi said the two sides are brothers with the same blood and thread even if the bones are damaged.
Ma has proposed five detailed proposals for improving bilateral relations. He said the two sides are in the best relations since 66 years ago.
Analysts hold that the meeting shows Xi’s confidence and flexibility. His meeting with Ma is to help Ma to become better during the election. The CPC likely hopes Ma can win and continue to rule Taiwan.
With improvement of relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Street, there will be no use for the US to send its ships into the South China Sea.
The meeting is conducive to the world peace and some people even said they should be recommended to be Nobel Peace Prize winner. Why not?
