China News Service, Taipei, January 1 (Reporter Lu Mei) Regarding the election of the Democratic Progressive Party candidate Lai Qingde in the 15 Taiwan regional leadership election, many scholars in Taiwan said that Lai won only 2024% of the votes, indicating that the mainstream Taiwanese people hope for cross-strait peace, and the DPP should properly handle the cross-strait issue and avoid the deepening of cross-strait confrontation.
On the 14th, at the symposium on "Taiwan's New Bureau and Cross-Strait Relations after the 2024 Election" held in Taipei, Chen Qinfu, chief writer of "China Times", pointed out that the <>% of the votes that were not cast for the DPP this time were the voice of the Taiwan people who hope for cross-strait peace, and the DPP should hear it. It can be seen from the mainland's statement after the election that the mainland's tone of adhering to the "consensus of '<>," opposing "Taiwan independence," and promoting cross-strait exchanges and integrated development has not changed, and this is also an opportunity that Taiwan can grasp. Whether or not Lai Ching-te can readjust his line after taking office has a bearing on how cross-strait relations will continue to develop.
Zhao Chunshan, honorary professor of Taiwan's Tamkang University, pointed out that the DPP's continued stay in power will inevitably lead to further confrontation in cross-strait relations. The "consensus of '5" is the bottom line that the mainland cannot make concessions, and if the DPP refuses to recognize the "consensus of '20," the two sides will not be able to hold talks and consultations. Weng Luzhong, an associate professor teaching at a US university, believes that before Lai Qingde is sworn in on <> May, he should make some adjustments to his cross-strait exposition in order to promote the stability of cross-strait relations.
Rong Futian, president and chief writer of Taiwan's "Wang Pao," mentioned that 60 percent of Taiwan's voters are not happy to see the DPP in power, and the DPP is unpopular. For the DPP, the "double minority" structure of election votes and legislature seats will bring great difficulties to its future administration. Lai Qingde is afraid that he will not be able to effectively control the development of "Taiwan independence" and that he will also find it difficult to effectively handle the issue of cross-strait relations, which may add uncertainties to cross-strait relations. The prescription to avoid cross-strait relations slipping into danger is to promote the resumption of cross-strait exchanges as soon as possible.
In addition, with regard to cross-strait economic and trade relations, Ding Renfang, a professor at the Department of Political Science of Taiwan's National Cheng Kung University, said in a telephone interview with a reporter from China News Service that the majority of business people hope to have a stable cross-strait environment and that their own development will not be disturbed. However, Lai Ching-te's line of administration is very likely to increase the risk of cross-strait conflict, and "everyone knows that he is a 'pragmatic Taiwan independence worker'", and the mainland will also take countermeasures. The Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) has already faced suspension of some projects, and the possibility of full termination in the future cannot be ruled out. However, the people on both sides of the strait should continue to promote cross-strait integration and development.
Zhu Yunpeng, a chair professor at Soochow University in Taiwan, pointed out to China News Service that the two sides of the strait have deep industrial ties, and if the situation in the Taiwan Strait is unstable and becomes a high-risk area, it will only make investors leave Taiwan and then take away jobs. The DPP authorities should stop stigmatizing the "consensus of '92" and hold dialogue between the two sides of the strait so that economic and trade exchanges that are beneficial to both sides of the strait can continue. (ENDS)