Xi-Ma meeting writes new historic chapter

On November 7, Xi Jinping and Ma Ying-jeou, the top leaders across the Taiwan Straits held a historic meeting at the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore. This event could be this year's top ten news story across the Taiwan Straits, and for the world as well.

The meeting will write a new chapter of the Chinese nation's history for generations of Chinese to come.

Lianhe Zaobao of Singapore reports that after isolation lasting for 66 years, the top leaders held a historic meeting at the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore. Xi and Ma walked towards the Banquet Hall at 3 p.m. local time.

Hundreds of journalists witnessed their handshake, which lasted for more than a minute that was profoundly significant. With mutual and constructive respect, both sides exchanged frank and in-depth views on issues to promote peaceful development and a national revival.

The two sides reviewed the 66-year extraordinary history of cross-Strait relations, along with its improvement that have occurred during the last 7 years, while summarizing their experiences.

They expounded on political ideas to promote relations to reach a positive consensus. Both sides agreed the meeting would boost the long-term development of cross-Strait relations.

In our information age, the full text of remarks of Xi and Ma were instantly spread across the Taiwan Straits and around the world. The public, especially descendants of China - at home and abroad - paid much attention to the meeting.

Xi and Ma delivered speeches after shaking hands and participated in closed-door talks. Xi's speech is less than 700 words, but demonstrated sincerity. The meeting shows that no matter how many challenges the two sides have undergone, they cannot be pulled apart.

"We are brothers who are still connected by our flesh even if our bones are broken," Xi said. He added, both sides are at a crossroads over the future development of cross-Straits relations.

Both sides are sitting together today to avoid the historical tragedy from repeating itself, prevent the fruits from peaceful development of cross-Straits ties from being lost again, enable compatriots to continue a peaceful life, and enable mutual next generations to share a brighter future.

The two sides should get inspired. They should be responsible for the nation and history, take the option to be tested by history.

The two sides should take concrete measures to demonstrate wisdom and to solve their problems. They should make greater contributions to the world and regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.

Xi hopes the two sides can work together to adhere to the 1992 Consensus, consolidate common political foundations, stick to the path of peaceful development, and maintain the right direction for cross-Straits ties.

Both sides should deepen exchanges, boost the well-being of people on the two sides, make joint efforts for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and enable both sides to share the glory of national rejuvenation.

Ma's speech is about 1,400 words and meaningful too. He put forward a five-point proposal to maintain the status of cross-Straits peace and prosperity. To consolidate the 1992 Consensus, and maintain peaceful status quo.

Historically, the two sides have faced complex obstacles. As a saying in The Book of History goes, it is not difficult to learn the difficulties but how to solve them.

As for sensitive issues, both sides need to face reality, and take pragmatic measures with wisdom, patience and sincerity. However, under the framework of institutional negotiations set by both sides several years ago, they have reached reconciliation and promoted sustainable peace and prosperity.

To settle disputes in peaceful ways. The two sides no longer stand in the sphere of conflict as in the past. They should continue to reduce hostilities in a peaceful manner. They should expand cross-Straits exchanges for mutual benefits, despite some issues not yet resolved.

These concerns include a cargo trade agreement,and passenger transit between the mainland and Taiwan. These disputes should be solved as soon as possible.

It's time to set up the cross-Straits hotline to deal with urgent problems. A contact mechanism has been established between Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation(SEF) and Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits（ARATS), between deputy heads of Mainland Affairs Council (MAC）and deputy head of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office.

It is necessary for a hotline between the head of Mainland Affairs Council and the head of State Council Taiwan Affairs Office as well. The two sides must work together to rejuvenate the Chinese nation. People across the Straits are descendants of China and they should support mutual cooperation.

The Xi-Ma meeting was held at an important phase of history. Cross-Straits relations have connections with the Chinese nation's future and the welfare of compatriots on both sides.

The trend of the world is to go forward with great strength, and if people follow the trend, they could survive and develop, otherwise they would perish, which is a quote from Sun Yat-sen's speech, a former ruler of China.

To revitalize the Chinese nation, and create more peace and a brighter future has become the moving tendency of history. It's the common wish of Chinese compatriots around the world. Any person who opposes the common expectations of Chinese compatriots would suffer the consequences.

By Ling Dequan, Researcher, Center for World Affairs Studies, Xinhua News Agency