Taipei, Nov. 2 (CNA) Cross Taiwan-Strait political issues should be discussed by Taiwanese and Chinese think tanks before they are deliberated at a government level, scholars said Tuesday in a forum.
"With the sensitivity of the political talks across the strait, think tanks can play important roles in fostering mutual understanding, resolving differences and mapping out better blueprints for future development," said Hsieh Ming-hui, executive director of the Taiwan Competitiveness Forum.
Hsieh made the comments at the one-day "Cross-Strait Think Tanks Forum " organized by the Taiwan Competitiveness Forum, the Taiwan Research Institute, the Chung-hua Institution for Economic Research and China's Fujian Southeast Competitiveness Research Institute.
Relations between Taiwan and China have been warming since President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May 2008, and especially after the historic economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) was signed June 29. However, Ma has repeatedly pledged not to enter political talks with China while he is in office, given the sensitive nature of the issue.
"In fact, scholars from both sides of the strait have acted as spearheads to explore different ideas and solutions for the political deadlock, " Hsieh said, citing as an example a "one China, three constitutions" initiative submitted by Chang Ya-chung, a political scientist at National Taiwan University, which calls for eventual cross-strait integration, with one constitution for Taiwan, one for China and another covering both nations.
Another example is a theory submitted by Chinese academician Liu Guoshen that describes Taiwan and China as different halves of a planet in a political solar system, in which every planet is seen as a country.
Li Mingrong, director of policy research for the Fujian provincial government, said think tanks in Taiwan and China "should have the courage to tackle those sensitive issues head on" because the only way to find common ground is through communication.
Wang Hsiao-po, a professor at National Taiwan University known for his pro-unification stance, suggested that cross-strait political engagement should take place on the prerequisite of the "one China principle" and that both sides should draft a common new constitution above their own existing constitutions, which would lead to eventual unification.
According to Wang, this would also grant Taiwan the right to govern itself and interact with foreign countries with secured international participation. (By Chris Wang) ENDITEM/J