Lien Chan’s “Journey of Peace” and Hu–Lien Meeting

On the basis of opposing “Taiwan independence” and upholding the one-China principle, cross-strait relations went through many twists and kept making progress. After the Democratic Progressive Party took power in 2000, the Taiwan authorities pursued a “Taiwan independence” separatist line, and cross-strait relations grew tense. In March 2005 the third session of the Tenth National People’s Congress passed the Anti-Secession Law, stating in legal form its firm will to oppose and curb separatist forces of “Taiwan independence” and safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. From 26 April to 3 May 2005 Lien Chan, chairman of the Kuomintang, led a “Journey of Peace” delegation to the mainland, paying respects at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and giving a speech at Peking University. On 29 April CPC General Secretary Hu Jintao held talks with Lien in Beijing, the first formal talks between top KMT and CPC leaders in sixty years, known as the “Hu–Lien meeting.” Afterward the two sides issued the Common Vision for Cross-Strait Peaceful Development. In May People First Party chairman James Soong also led a delegation to the mainland and met Hu Jintao. Lien’s trip opened a new phase in exchanges between cross-strait parties, broke the deadlock in relations and pushed them toward peace and stability. The mainland then announced measures benefiting Taiwan, including the gift of a pair of giant pandas, Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, opening mainland residents’ tourism to Taiwan and wider access for Taiwan fruit. In 2008 cross-strait relations took a major turn: the two bodies resumed talks, full direct “three links” were achieved, and relations entered a new stage of peaceful development.