2005 Pan–Blue visits to mainland China

Lien Chan and the Kuomintang touring the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing, People's Republic of China. The Pan-Blue coalition visited mainland China in 2005.

The 2005 Pan–Blue visits to mainland China were a series of groundbreaking visits by delegations of the Kuomintang (KMT) to mainland China. They were hailed as the highest level of exchange between the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang since Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong met in Chongqing, China on August 28, 1945.

On March 28, 2005, the Kuomintang's vice chairman Chiang Pin-kung led a delegation in the first official visit to mainland China by a senior leader of the Kuomintang in 60 years. Later, on April 26, 2005, a 70-member delegation led by the Kuomintang's chairman Lien Chan left Taipei for Nanjing via Hong Kong, launching Lien's 8-day Taiwan Strait peace tour, also the first such visit to mainland China in 60 years.

While in mainland China, Lien met with General Secretary Hu Jintao and expressed interest in improving cross-strait dialogues. Both also re-affirmed a belief in the "One China principle", which was not acknowledged by Taiwan's then-ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Lien's itinerary also included visits to Xi'an, where he had lived as a child during the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II; Nanjing, the former de facto capital of the Republic of China and the site of the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum; and Shanghai, China's largest city and site of extensive Taiwanese financial and economic investment in recent years.

Background

In 2004, the KMT first proposed that the former president candidate Lien Chan would visit mainland China as the elected President of the Republic of China, but this was set aside as Lien failed to win the 2004 ROC Presidential Election. In 2005, the KMT suggested initially sending the vice chairman of the party to mainland China, with further visits to follow. This plan was followed through on March 28, when Vice Chairman Chiang Pin-kung led his delegation to mainland China.[1][2]

Chiang's visit

As part of the "ice-breaking tour", Chiang started his trip in Guangzhou to visit the graves of dozens of KMT members who died during an uprising against the Qing Dynasty in 1911.[3] On the morning of March 30, the delegation visited the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing, then headed for Beijing to meet with CPPCC chairman Jia Qinglin. At the meeting, Jia conveyed Hu Jintao's invitation for Lien to Chiang.[4] On April 1, Lien accepted the invitation at the Aichi Expo 2005.[5]

Lien's visit

Chiang Kai-shek International Airport

Lien Chan and his 70-member delegation departed Taipei for Hong Kong on April 26, starting the 8-day "journey of peace"[6] which the mainland Chinese media referred to as a "visit."[7] The Chinese media changed the airport name from CKS airport to "Taoyuan airport" to avoid mentioning the name of former leader of KMT and the late President of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai-shek.[8]

On that morning, about a thousand people gathered at the Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, and violent conflict broke out among the supporters and opponents of the tour, resulting in many injuries.[9][10]

Some Pan-Green supporters illegally brought guan daos, beer bottles, stones, eggs, firecrackers, clubs, and sharpened sugarcanes into the terminals[11][12] and started beating Pan-Blue supporters and the police, throwing stones and setting off firecrackers in the meantime. Many members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU), and the Taiwan Independence Party were arrested, along with the host of a political talk show.[13]

Pan-Blue supporters fought back, swearing "an eye for an eye". There were suspected Triad members clad in black[14] in the mob, picking on Pan-Green's elderly supporters, causing many to be hospitalized. The New Party chairman Yok Mu-ming was arrested, along with other people in the Pan-Blue Coalition.

Outside the airport, a few taxis attempted to blockade the highway, preventing Lien from reaching the airport, but they were repelled by the motorcade's police escort. Taiwan independence advocate Shi Ming and pan-Green supporters lit firecrackers in front of the terminal, but were not arrested.[12]

Lien avoided the trouble entirely having been taken into the airport via a VIP entrance.[9]

Because the Aviation Police Office of Taiwan proved inept in handling the riot, its director, Chen Jui-tien was dismissed that evening.[15] The Minister of the Interior Su Chia-chyuan offered to resign, but the offer was rejected by Premier Frank Hsieh.[14][16]

On the Internet, teenagers parodied the event with a mock Dynasty Warriors battle.[12]

Nanjing

Lien Chan and his wife, Lien Fang Yu,[17] in Nanjing

The delegation transferred onto China Eastern Airlines to Nanjing in Hong Kong, where they were greeted by the PRC Liaison Office of Hong Kong.

Lien and the delegation arrived at Nanjing Lukou International Airport on April 26, at 16:40. Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council head Chen Yunlin was at the airport to welcome the delegation.[18] One of Lien's aides, Joanna Lai, quipped "It would have taken just two and half hours from Taipei to Nanjing by direct flight, but we took 50-60 years."[19] Lien echoed the sentiment in a short speech upon arrival, saying "Taipei and Nanjing are not too distant, but it still took 60 years to come here. It certainly took too long to make the journey."[20] That night he attended a banquet hosted by the leader of the Jiangsu provincial government and lodged at the Jinling Hotel.

On April 27, the delegation visited the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, where Lien burnt incense for the former President surrounded by the general public and press reporters. Lien quoted Sun Yat-Sen's last words "peace, struggle, save China" to promote a healthy relationship across the strait. Lien was the first KMT chairman to visit the mausoleum for 56 years.[21][22]

On the same day, Lien visited the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the former Republic of China Presidential Palace, Tianfei Gong, and the Fuzi Miao (Shrine of Confucius).

On the morning of April 28, Lien left Nanjing for Beijing.

Beijing

In the afternoon of April 28, Lien and the delegation arrived in the Beijing Capital International Airport, where he delivered another speech.[23] Then he attended a conference with the Taiwan Affairs Office in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Later, the delegation visited the Forbidden City. Lien met the CPPCC Chairman Jia Qinglin at the Great Hall of the People, and then watched a traditional Beijing opera performance.

On April 29, Lien gave a speech and answered questions from students and faculty in Peking University. The speech called for a 'win-win' future of cooperation and peace, praising both Deng Xiaoping and Chiang Ching-kuo as having made pivotal decisions that led to economic growth.[24][25][26]

In the speech, he also mentioned that both Hu Shih and former Taiwan University president Fu Sinian had graduated from Peking University, then worked at Taiwan University and spread liberalism there. "Therefore, in terms of liberalism, both Peking University and Taiwan University are born from the same root. Especially in mainland China, it can be said that it's a bastion of freedom." But a proportion of Taiwanese students disagreed, saying both Hu and Fu were fierce opponents of communism in favour of freedom of education, thus the two universities can't be compared, and protested outside the front gate.

Lien then toured the university, and visited the dormitory where his mother once lived. At 15:00, Lien met Hu Jintao in the Great Hall of the People, marking a historical meeting between the CPC and KMT, the first since 1945.[27] After 17:30, Lien held a press conference, and listed the five points of compromise settled upon by the two parties following the conference:[28][29][30]

  1. On the premise of acknowledging the 1992 Consensus, encourage the reopening of talks across the strait;
  2. Encourage an end to hostilities, and establish peace;
  3. Encourage cooperation in economic exchange and crime fighting, push for two-way direct flights across the strait, Three Links, and agricultural exchange;
  4. Encourage talks regarding increasing Taiwan's international role; and
  5. Establish a platform of communication between the two parties.

That evening, Lien changed his plan for the night and met with Hu Jintao again. Reportedly, Hu Jintao invited Lien for a politics-free chat as it was Lien's last night in Beijing.

Xi'an

On April 30 at 11:25, the delegation arrived at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, starting Lien's tour of his birthplace.[31] Welcoming Lien were officials of the Shaanxi provincial government, Taiwanese businessmen in mainland China, and children from Lien's elementary school.

At 3 pm Lien returned to Houzaimen Elementary School (then called Beixinjie Elementary), which he had attended 60 years ago. There he gave a speech and watched several presentations by the schoolchildren, among them the soon-famous "Grandpa, You are back!" skit reminiscent of the Cultural Revolution.[32] Lien later donated to the school library, and the school gave him a 7 m (23 ft) long wall scroll in return.

After visiting the school, the delegation visited the Terracotta Army. In the evening, Shaanxi provincial secretary Li Jianguo hosted a Tang Dynasty-style banquet for the delegation in the Tang Paradise theme park.[33] Li presented the delegation with prints from the Stele Forest and ancient copperware, Lien in return gave famous Taiwanese glasswork. Later, the delegation watched the musical "Dream Back to the Tang" in the Fengming Jiutian Theatre.

Lien and his family members visited his grandmother's grave in Xi'an on May 1, and burnt incense at the nearby Qingliang Temple.

Shanghai

At 5pm on May 1, Lien arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

The next day, Lien cancelled his trip atop the Oriental Pearl Tower and held a press conference at the Shanghai Shangri-la Hotel. He later visited Wang Daohan at Jinjiang Hotel.[34] At nine he toured Xintiandi, and took a harbour cruise to view The Bund at night.

On May 3, 1pm, Lien and his delegation flew back to Taipei, via Hong Kong.[35]

Reactions

The state media in mainland China covered the visit in great detail and much of the general public welcomed this delegation with enthusiasm.

The United States declared public support for Lien's visit, stating "diplomacy is the only way to resolve the cross-strait issue." However, the US also stressed that it would like to see the Communist Party of China (CPC) have talks with Taiwan's current ruling party, as well as the KMT.[36][37][38] Western political analysts have compared the handshake of Lien and Hu Jintao to that of Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat.

The European Union also welcomed the visit, stating they "hope it will prove to be the first positive step in the right direction."[39]

In Taiwan, public opinion was split. While polls showed that more than half of the people didn't oppose this visit,[40][41][42] the DPP argued that the People's Republic of China was attempting to play a divide-and-conquer game with Taiwan and causing a "widening schism" among the Taiwanese.[43][44] Former ROC President and TSU affiliate Lee Teng-hui condemned the visits of Lien and Soong (see below), calling them sympathizers of mainland China who want to undermine Taiwan's sovereignty.[45][46]

Republic of China (ROC) President Chen Shui-bian initially condemned Lien and said that his visit might be in violation of ROC law.[47][48] However, several days later Chen Shui-bian reversed his opinions and showed a cautious goodwill gesture to Lien's visit.[49][50][51] Chen has also altered his stance on Taiwan independence. During the 2004 Taiwan election he stressed his support for Taiwan independence, he now says that "both independence and re-unification are options" for Taiwan's future. Political fallout from Lien's trip is believed to have contributed to this change in rhetoric.

Aftermath

Taiwanese produce started to appear in Beijing's markets after Lien's visit to mainland China.

After Lien's visit, the PRC offered three "goodwill gifts" to the ROC: the normalization of tourism, which would allow direct flights across the Taiwan Strait; agricultural trade agreements that would increase sales of Taiwanese produce to mainland China; and two giant pandas for the Taipei Zoo.[52][53] After much deliberation, authorities in Taiwan declined the final gift, saying that Taipei Zoo was not suited to the task of nurturing pandas.[54] This decision was overturned following the election of Ma Ying-jeou to the presidency in March 2008.[55]

James Soong, leader of the People First Party, followed Lien's visit on May 5 with a 9-day visit of his own.[56] Like Lien, Soong also met with General Secretary Hu Jintao and expressed an interest in increasing cross-strait dialogue.[57]

Prior to Soong's visit, President Chen extended an invitation to Hu Jintao to visit Taiwan so that he "can see with his own eyes that Taiwan is a sovereign nation."[58][59] However, the CPC continues to show a lack of interest in dealing with Chen and the DPP.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Hong, Caroline (March 28, 2005). "KMT delegation travels to China for historic visit". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  2. ↑ "First official KMT team to depart for mainland today". The China Post. Taipei. TWN. March 28, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  3. ↑ Lim, Benjamin Kang (March 30, 2005). "China hails KMT visit as positive for cross-strait links". The China Post. Taipei. TWN. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  4. ↑ Lim, Benjamin Kang (April 1, 2005). "China calls for dialogue with Taiwan". The China Post. Taipei. TWN. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  5. ↑ Hong, Caroline (April 2, 2005). "KMT confirms Lien plans China trip". Taipei Times. CNA. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  6. ↑ Hong, Caroline (April 21, 2005). "KMT unveils details of Lien Chan's trip". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Lien Chan starts historic trip to mainland". China Daily. April 27, 2005. Retrieved November 1, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Bon voyage: Lien leaves Taiwan for mainland". China Daily. Xinhua. April 26, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  9. 1 2 "Premier and others condemn violence at airport". The China Post. Taipei. TWN. April 27, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  10. ↑ Ko, Shu-ling (April 27, 2005). "'Journey of Peace' starts violently". Taipei Times. CNA. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  11. ↑ Chuang, Jimmy (April 27, 2005). "Pan-blues urge probe of clashes". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  12. 1 2 3 Soong, Roland (April 27, 2005). "The Big Brawl in Taipei". 東南西北 EastSouthWestNorth. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  13. ↑ Ko, Shu-ling (April 29, 2005). "Emotions run high amid investigation of protests". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  14. 1 2 Ko, Shu-ling (April 28, 2005). "DPP apologizes for airport violence". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Taiwan's airport police chief replaced after violence". Sina English. AP. April 27, 2005. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  16. ↑ Chuang, Jimmy (April 29, 2005). "Premier rejects interior minister's resignation offer". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  17. ↑ Hong, Caroline (May 2, 2005). "Lien visits the grave of his grandmother". Taipei Times. CNA. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  18. ↑ "KMT leader lands in Nanjing after a 56-year absence". China Daily. April 27, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  19. ↑ Zhou, Liming (April 28, 2005). "Lien's historic trip evokes rich memories". China Daily. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  20. ↑ "Lein Chan arrives in Nanjing, gets a warm welcome from Communists". Taipei Times. April 27, 2005. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  21. ↑ Xing, Zhigang (April 28, 2005). "Lien Chan vows to follow in Sun's footsteps". China Daily. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Well-wishers idolize Lien in Nanjing". The China Post. Taipei. TWN. April 28, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Lien: Peaceful, win-win future 'common aspiration'". China Daily. Xinhua. April 28, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  24. ↑ Xing, Zhigang (April 30, 2005). "Lien calls to promote peace". China Daily. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Lien calls for peace, 'win-win' future for China". The China Post. Taipei. April 30, 2005. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  26. ↑ Hong, Caroline (April 30, 2005). "KMT, communists should work together, Lien tells Peking University students". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  27. ↑ "HISTORIC MOMENT: Hu, Lien meet in Beijing". China Daily. Xinhua. April 29, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  28. ↑ "CPC, KMT work for formal end of cross-Straits hostility". China Daily. Xinhua. April 29, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  29. ↑ "Hu, Lien vow to work to end cross-strait hostilities". The China Post. Taipei. TWN. April 30, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  30. ↑ Hong, Caroline (April 30, 2005). "Lien, Hu share `vision' for peace". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  31. ↑ "KMT chairman Lien Chan arrives in Xi'an". China Daily. Xinhua. April 30, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  32. ↑ Hoo, Stephanie (May 1, 2005). "Thousands greet Lien on visit to Chinese hometown". The China Post. AP. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  33. ↑ "Lien Chan pays nostalgic visit to birthplace". China Daily. Xinhua. May 1, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  34. ↑ "KMT chairman meets 'history maker' Wang". The China Post. Taipei. TWN. May 3, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  35. ↑ "KMT chairman back from mainland". The China Post. Taipei. TWN. May 4, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  36. ↑ Yeh, Benjamin (April 29, 2005). "U.S. urges China to open dialogue with Taiwan". The China Post. Taipei. AFP. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  37. ↑ Snyder, Charles (April 8, 2005). "China must engage everyone: US". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  38. ↑ Snyder, Charles (April 29, 2005). "US says Beijing ought to talk to Chen". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  39. ↑ "EU welcomes China-KMT talks as 'first step' to peace". The China Post. Taipei. TWN. April 30, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  40. ↑ Yu, Zheng; Cheng, Yunjie (April 30, 2005). "Lien takes historical bus to make "journey of peace"". China Daily. Xinhua. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  41. ↑ "Public divided over trips". Taipei Times. CNA. April 26, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  42. ↑ "Polls suggest public supports Lien Chan's China trip". Taipei Times. NY Times News Service. May 2, 2005. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  43. ↑ Ko, Shu-ling (March 29, 2005). "DPP bashes KMT trip as `surrender'". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  44. ↑ Huang, Tai-lin (April 3, 2005). "Sovereignty undermined by China visit, DPP says". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  45. ↑ Huang, Jewel (April 22, 2005). "Lien, Soong `colluding' with China: Lee". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  46. ↑ Huang, Jewel (May 2, 2005). "Lee says Lien visit threatens freedoms". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  47. ↑ "President threatening legal action on KMT". The China Post. TWN. April 6, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  48. ↑ Chen, Melody (April 30, 2005). "MAC warns Lien of legal backlash". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  49. ↑ "President warns opposition about Chinese 'traps'". The China Post. Taipei. TWN. April 10, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  50. ↑ Huang, Tai-lin (April 28, 2005). "Chen `not inconsistent' on PRC trips". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  51. ↑ "Chen in damage control with DPP". The China Post. Taipei. TWN. May 8, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  52. ↑ "Lien Chan welcomes mainland's gestures of goodwill". China Daily. Xinhua. May 3, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  53. ↑ "Taipei rejects Beijing's three 'gifts' in effect". The China Post. TWN. May 4, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  54. ↑ "MAC looks gift pandas in the month; says `no thanks'". Taipei Times. CNA. May 3, 2005. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  55. ↑ "Pandas make historic trip from China to Taiwan". The Sydney Morning Herald. December 24, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2009.
  56. ↑ "Soong arrives in Xian, begins nine-day China trip". The China Post. Taipei. TWN. May 6, 2005. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  57. ↑ "Hu calls for conditional negotiations with Chen". The China Post. Taipei. TWN. May 13, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  58. ↑ Chuang, Jimmy (May 4, 2014). "China cool on Chen's invitation to Hu". Taipei Times. AP. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  59. ↑ "Taiwan would welcome visit by Hu, Chen says". The China Post. TWN. May 4, 2005. Retrieved November 18, 2014.

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