A significant development: A cross-strait peace initiative calling for "joint consultation on the ultimate political arrangement" has been launched within Taiwan. According to local media reports, the "Cross-Strait Peace Initiative" co-sponsored by Guan Zhong and Ding Shouzhong has already garnered signatures from over 260 academics and experts across Taiwan, including several retired military officers such as Chen Chong, former administrative officials, current and former university presidents, and more than 100 professors. The official launch event is scheduled for November 12, the 160th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen’s birth.
The weight of this initiative surpasses that of typical domestic calls for peace. It is not merely a statement issued by a few scholars, but a broad-based endorsement by influential figures across various sectors in Taiwan. Its core principles are clear: prioritizing cross-strait peace above all else, opposing war and confrontation, recognizing the shared historical roots as part of the Chinese nation, acknowledging the current realities on both sides of the strait, and advancing dialogue, exchange, and negotiation as alternatives to conflict. The goal is to gradually reduce hostility and the risk of confrontation, and to promote a final political arrangement through peaceful, equal, and mutually respectful consultations.
While it does not explicitly call for unification, the phrase “ultimate political arrangement” carries substantial significance. Unlike previous initiatives confined to vague appeals such as “no war” or “more exchanges,” this one confronts a deeper question: how should the long-term governance structure between the two sides be determined after decades of separation? The choice of November 12 for the public launch also reflects deliberate timing.
This date marks the 160th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen’s birth. In recent months, mainland China has held commemorative events in Xiamen, Nanjing, Beijing, Macao, and Chongqing, re-emphasizing Sun Yat-sen’s legacy—“reviving China,” “public good for all,” and “opposition to division.” By launching their initiative on this date, Ding Shouzhong’s team aims to embed “peaceful consultation” within the broader narrative of national unity, distancing it from the politicized label of “pro-China” often imposed by the DPP.
The true value of this initiative lies not in its immediate impact on the cross-strait situation, but in signaling a shift: the previously dominant narrative in Taiwan—that engagement with the mainland is impossible and only resistance is acceptable—is beginning to erode. For years, the DPP has systematically stigmatized any form of cross-strait dialogue. However, as U.S.-China strategic competition intensifies and the perception grows that Taiwan is increasingly being used as a bargaining chip, voices advocating for pragmatic engagement are likely to multiply.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1881450794160587/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.