An article published in Taiwan-based China Times reported that most people living in Taiwan now do not want the reoccurrence of war. It was far more pragmatic to develop the cross-strait relations, according to the article. Taiwan-based Economic Daily echoed the message that one of the purposes for Lien Chan's mainland visit was to explore the possibilities of cross-strait peace.

This "journey of peace" has been a long time coming according to a commentary of the government website China.com.cn. The commentary says that in last year's Taiwan election, Lien campaigned under the ticket of "work hard on the economy, work hard for peace and save Taiwan." He said then that peace, stability and development were the main values of the Taiwanese. On January 1, 2004, Lien made a pledge for cross-strait peace, expressing his intention to visit the mainland under the banner of peace, reciprocity and dignity if he won the election.

After the Chinese top legislature passed the Anti-Secession Law in March this year, Lien delivered an important speech, advocating that both sides of the strait should immediately resume negotiations on a peace agreement. His sincerity to promote cross-strait peace was highly appreciated by all circles of society, says the commentary.

Promoting cross-strait relations

During Hu Jintao's meeting with Lien on April 29, he said the "historic meeting" showed the exchanges between the two parties have entered a new stage of development and reflected their common determination and sincerity to boost cross-strait relations. This common step taken by the two parties will "go down in the history of the development of cross-strait relations," said Hu.

Lien called for efforts to avoid confrontation and conflicts, and to "seek reconciliation and dialogue."

This was the first meeting between top leaders of the CPC and KMT since late CPC Chairman Mao Zedong and late KMT Chairman Chiang Kai-shek conducted the meeting in August 1945 in Chongqing, wartime capital of China, in an unsuccessful bid to negotiate a truce.

But this time the two parties agreed to make joint efforts to promote the formal end of state of hostility across the Taiwan Strait, according to a press communique released after the meeting.

The communique said both parties realized they shared a common stance in adhering to the "1992 consensus" on one-China principle, oppose 'Taiwan independence," promote the development of cross-strait relations and maintain the benefits of people living on both sides of the Taiwan Strait

The two parties reached consensus of a wide range of issues including the promotion for the early resumption of cross-strait dialogue, the signing of a peace accord, the building of a mechanism for mutual military trust, the establishing of close economic and trade cooperative relations and the building of a platform for regular communication.

"History is past. We cannot change it but we can strive to master the future," Lien told the media shortly after his meeting with Hu.

Although the KMT is not the ruling party in Taiwan, Lien expressed his confidence in the development of cross-strait relations with the combined efforts of related parties and related persons.

Experts' eye

Zhang Nianci, Director of the East Asia Institute in Shanghai, thought highly of the Hu-Lien meeting, saying that the direct dialogue between the CPC and KMT marks a turning point in the efforts of promoting cross-strait peace, a win-win situation and reaching a future of mutual benefits.

He believed that after the significant meeting between Hu and Lien, more Taiwanese people will understand the real purpose of Lien's mainland visit, that is, instead of "selling out Taiwan," Lien actually came for the benefit of the people.

Xu Bodong, Director of the Taiwan Institute of Beijing Union University, told Xinhua that the joint efforts made by both the CPC and KMT opened a new chapter, not only in the history of the relations between the two parties, but also in the history of cross-strait relations, and it would be to the benefit of people on both sides.

Besides the historical meaning, Xu also believed that an additional benefit of Lien's mainland visit could probably be the solution of practical problems in cross-strait communication.

Huang Jiashu, Professor of Renmin University of China and expert on the Taiwan issue, said the direct dialogue between the top leaders of the CPC and KMT would help the mainland know more about those who oppose "Taiwan independence" and advocate developing cross-strait relations on Taiwan island.

Some commentators said the spotlight had now swung onto the pro-independence authorities of Chen Shui-bian to follow up on Lien's visit. However, Beijing refuses to deal with Chen unless he first renounces his call for an independent Taiwan.