Cross-Strait meeting breeds optimism

: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, February 12, 2014

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Great expectations, heavy responsibilities

"We meet amid great attention and with high hopes, but bear grave responsibilities," noted the Taiwan's affairs chief, who believes the direction is a straightforward one and their purposes will not take long to fulfill.

Zhang also told his visitor, "As chief officials on cross-Strait relations, we should talk more and understand each other better. I think people on both sides would welcome that."

"The meeting itself is of more significance than what they had to say," Liu said. "In future meetings, they need to work on real issues and remove cross-Strait barriers."

Wang Yu-chi, Taiwan's mainland affairs chief, attends a press conference after the formal meeting with Zhang Zhijun (not pictured), head of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 11, 2014. The Chinese mainland and Taiwan's chief officials in charge of cross-Strait affairs met here on Feb. 11 afternoon for the first time since 1949. [Xinhua photo]

Prof. Su Chia-hung of Taiwan's Fooyin University told Xinhua that the meeting is good for Taiwan and will lead to closer economic and cultural cooperation.

"If such meetings produce concrete outcomes and better services for common people, Taiwan will welcome the arrangement," he said.

Both Zhang and Wang agreed that the two sides should make the most of current favorable relations.

Cross-Strait relations have survived ups and downs over 65 years, evolving from military and political confrontation to the historic shift toward peaceful development in 2008, Zhang said.

"Today's cross-Strait situation has been hard-earned through the efforts of generations. We should cherish it and work together to maintain this favorable momentum," he added. "We should be determined to avoid any further fluctuations and setbacks."

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