Beijing, Jan. 25 (CNA) Cross-Taiwan Strait relations are expected to move on an even keel after the successful re-election of President Ma Ying-jeou, scholars said recently.
In China, a leadership transition is expected late this year. Xi Jinping, heir apparent to China's President Hu Jintao, is expected to follow the course set by Hu on the Taiwan issue, the scholars added.
Professor Chang Wu-yueh of Taiwan's Tamkang University saidin a recent interview with CNA that after Xi succeeds Hu, he will have to focus on a spate of internal issues first, which means, in the short term, he is not expected to deviate from Hu's Taiwan policies.
Lin Chong-pin, a former Mainland Affairs Council vice minister who is now a Tamkang University professor, told CNA that Xi has served in the coastal provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang and has had frequent exchanges with Taiwanese businessmen.
Xi, who is currently China's vice president, is also well-versed in Taiwanese and U.S. affairs, Lin noted, saying that Xi will likely adopt a more "soft and refined" approach when dealing with Taiwan policies.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office under the State Council issued a statement after Ma's re-election in the Jan. 14 presidential election, saying that it is willing to work toward further cross-strait peaceful development based on the "1992 consensus" and on the condition that Taiwan continues not to pursue independence.
The "1992 consensus"refers to a cross-strait tacit agreement that there is only "one China," with each side of the Taiwan Strait free to interpret the meaning of the term.
Some scholars in China said they foresee both sides continuing to deepen exchanges through existing platforms based on the consensus.
The scholars, who refused to be identified, said that on the deepening of exchanges, a Chinese official's pre-election remarks about "seven benefits" could indicate the direction of future cross-strait talks.
The "seven benefits" mentioned by Li Yafei, vice president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, are: imports of Taiwanese rice, An IC card for Taiwanese people to enter China, a cross-strait currency settlement mechanism, the opening of more destinations for direct air links and residents of more cities coming to Taiwan independently, Taiwan's increased participation in international activities, follow-up talks on the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement and a cross-strait investment protection pact.
(By Charles Kang and Lilian Wu)
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