On deeper cooperation
As part of his visit to the mainland, Chu attended the 10th Cross-Straits Economic, Trade and Culture Forum in Shanghai on May 3.
The forum, co-presided over by Zhang Zhijun, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Huang Ming-hui, Vice Chairman of the KMT, was attended by more than 300 people including representatives of the two parties and some other political parties and groups, as well as businesspersons, scholars and young people from across the Straits.
During the forum, all participants agreed that the two sides should strengthen communication and promote understanding to pave the way for further cooperation.
Yu Zhengsheng, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said the forum was a great platform to promote further cooperation now that cross-Straits interaction has deepened.
When addressing the opening ceremony of the forum, Chu pledged that the KMT will be responsible for the public, the next generation and history. He called for continued efforts to improve cross-Strait relations and in sharing the fruits with more people.
Among the topics aired at the forum was Taiwan's participation in the AIIB.
"The Chinese mainland and Taiwan should discuss ways for the island to participate in the AIIB," Yu said at the opening ceremony of the one-day event. "Such moves can improve the competitiveness of the whole Chinese economy."
Chu also expressed the hope that the island could play an active role in the AIIB and other initiatives to expand its status in the international market.
"The 21st century marks an era of cooperation, not confrontation," Chu said. "We should develop a positive attitude toward cooperation while listening to different voices. Taiwan is strong in innovation as well as research and development. It can complement the mainland's strength in manufacturing. We hope to integrate further into the regional economy."
Jiann-Chyuan Wang, Vice President of the Taipei-based Chuang-Hua Institution for Economic Research, said Taiwan should continue to apply for AIIB membership, which could bring huge benefits, though he regretted the island had missed the chance to be a founding member.
Also discussed were Taiwan's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, other regional economic cooperation, how to involve smaller companies and young people in cross-Straits cooperation and how to better share the wealth created by it.
Proposed by Xi and involving more than 50 countries, the Belt and Road Initiative is a vision of international cooperation running from East Asia to the heart of Europe.
"Contact and exchange between young people from both sides will help them realize their dreams," Yu said, calling for a better deal for young people living, studying, working or starting businesses away from their hometowns on the other side of the Taiwan Straits, regardless of where they originate.
The forum, which was launched in 2005, has been held in a number of cities on the mainland, including Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, and has witnessed many achievements with the development of the relationship, with 153 agreements signed over the past 10 years—most of which have been turned into practical policies.
Chairman of Taiwan's New Party Yok Mu-ming, commented, "We should be responsible for the public, the next generation and history."
By recognizing this trend and people's needs, efforts should be made with courage and insight, Yok added.
Chang Pao-cheng, President of the China Productivity Center in Taiwan, said that SMEs from the mainland and Taiwan have encountered similar problems in their development.
"These include limited capital, a shortage of talent, insufficient research and development capability, and lack of experience in exploring overseas markets and brand building," he said.
Chang suggested setting up a platform for collaboration to help SMEs engage in mutually beneficial cooperation.
Wang Hao, an official at the China Center for Promotion of SMEs Development under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, echoed Chang's view on the challenges SMEs face in tapping international markets.
Wang said the authorities are looking to build more collaborative parks in areas where Taiwan entrepreneurs are located and to help SMEs with technological innovation.
As of the end of March, 215 Taiwan-funded new enterprises had been set up since the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone was founded in September 2013, according to Zhu Min, deputy head of the zone's administration.
Zhu suggested that Taiwan enterprises take advantage of the special zone's favorable policies and advised them to invest in service industries such as financing, trade, medical care and training.
With Taiwan entrepreneurs' investment in the mainland reaching $61.6 billion by the end of March, cross-Straits trade has grown rapidly over the past decade.
Figures provided by the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office showed that trade value between the two sides in 2014 reached $198.31 billion, up 0.6 percent year on year, with imports from Taiwan worth more than $152 billion. In 2012, the cross-Straits trade value stood at $168.96 billion.
Simultaneously, unemployment in Taiwan dropped steadily to 3.96 percent in 2014, a seven-year low.
"These encouraging numbers indicate that improved communication between the mainland and Taiwan has been fruitful, bringing benefits to both sides of the Straits," said Hu with the CASS' Institute of Taiwan Studies.
Interactions Between the Mainland and Taiwan
2015 Xi meets with KMT Chairman Eric Chu in Beijing. Both leaders reiterate their commitments to the 1992 Consensus and vow to build a community of shared destiny;
2013 Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, meets with visiting KMT Honorary Chairman Lien Chan;
2008-09 Then General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Hu meets with then KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung three times in less than one year. In June of 2009, the mainland and Taiwan resume their systematic consultation, with some 18 agreements or consensuses concluded, including the Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement;
2008 Then KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou wins the island's leadership election and since then, communications between the two sides have picked up remarkably. The same year, direct air transport, sea transport and postal services are launched;
2005 Hu Jintao, then General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, meets with then KMT Chairman Lien Chan in Beijing. A communiqué describes the two parties' "shared vision for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations." The same year, the Cross-Straits Economic, Trade and Culture Forum is established as a key communication platform between the mainland and Taiwan;
1992 The 1992 Consensus is reached, with both sides of the Taiwan Straits acknowledging the mainland and Taiwan belong to one and the same China. Since then, the consensus has served as the framework and foundation for cross-Straits interaction;
1987 Business and personnel exchanges resume between the mainland and Taiwan;
1949 The KMT forces led by Chiang Kai-shek flee to Taiwan after being defeated by the CPC.
