Historic Meeting Between Lien Chan and Hu Jintao on April 29, 2005

Context

The meeting between Taiwanese opposition leader Lien Chan and Chinese President Hu Jintao on April 29, 2005, was a landmark event in the context of cross-strait relations. This meeting marked the first encounter between leaders of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and a major Taiwanese political party, the Kuomintang (KMT), since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949. The civil war had led to a divided China, with the CCP establishing the People’s Republic of China on the mainland and the KMT retreating to Taiwan, where they maintained the Republic of China.

Key Events Leading Up to the Meeting

Before the meeting, tensions between Taiwan and China were high due to issues related to Taiwan’s political status and its pursuit of international recognition. Efforts were made by both sides to reduce hostilities and explore avenues for dialogue.

The invitation for the meeting signaled a potential thaw in relations and was aimed at fostering communication. Lien Chan’s visit was part of a larger effort to ease cross-strait tensions and promote exchanges after several years of strained relations, particularly during the presidency of Chen Shui-bian in Taiwan, who favored a more assertive Taiwanese identity.

The Meeting

Lien Chan, who was the former Vice President of Taiwan and Chairman of the KMT, traveled to Beijing, where he was welcomed by Chinese officials. The meeting with Hu Jintao was held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

During their discussions, both leaders emphasized the need for peaceful development and sought to establish channels of communication to resolve tensions. The meeting focused on economic cooperation, historical ties, and mutual interests rather than political disagreements over sovereignty.

Aftermath and Significance

The meeting was widely considered a symbolic gesture, representing a step towards improving cross-strait relations. It paved the way for subsequent exchanges and dialogues between other KMT officials and their CCP counterparts.

In the years that followed, the meeting influenced cross-strait policies, contributing to various agreements on trade and transportation, despite the underlying political disagreement on Taiwan’s status. It was significant in demonstrating that dialogue could occur despite deep-rooted political differences, influencing future diplomatic engagements across the Taiwan Strait.

This event remains a critical reference point in the ongoing attempts to manage and diplomatically resolve issues between Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China.