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Pandas cross the Straits

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-24 07:41

They are lovely and lovable animals. But, of the many things Chinese pandas symbolize, these must be the most significant. The arrival of the long-awaited giant panda couple Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan at Taipei Zoo yesterday will long be seen as a symbol of a historic move to cross barriers and reunify people. It is a fitting sequel to the Three Direct Links that were put in place last week to boost cross-Straits relations

It has been 20 years since the proposal was first made to gift two pandas from Beijing Zoo to Taiwan. We are happy that Taiwan compatriots finally have the chance to appreciate this couple, the species which is known for being living fossils and for their lovely looks and bearing.

But adorable as the animals are, the significance of their journey goes beyond their physical attributes. As Zheng Lizhong, vice-minister of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said yesterday, the couple "will sow the seeds of peace, solidarity and friendship on Taiwan's soil, with the good wishes of 1.3 billion mainland compatriots".

The increasingly close contacts across the Straits in the past years and the opening of the Three Direct Links speak volumes for the long-cherished wish of people across the Straits to be on good terms for economic development and closer kinship.

The giant pandas are meant to represent the goodwill of people from the mainland to their brothers and sisters on the island. It is just as well that people on the island welcome and appreciate the couple.

As everybody would agree, increasingly close contacts across the Straits are in the interest of people on both sides. Investment from Taiwan compatriots in the past years has not only helped economic growth in the mainland, but also supported the economy on the island.

Anyone who cherishes good wishes for prosperity on both sides will support further development of ties across the Straits. That really is the true meaning of welcoming the giant panda couple.

Yet, we feel pity at the same time for the fact that even such a lovely animal has long been politicized as the mainland's promotion for reunification.

This is unreasonable and ridiculous.

We don't believe that those who have politicized the arrival of giant pandas on the island have an intrinsic aversion to pandas. They hate their arrival because they have ulterior motives. It is they who have politicized the mission of the pandas for their political purposes.

They are afraid that the pandas will further promote contact and exchanges between people across the Straits. They hate to see warmer ties between both sides because prosperity on both sides brought about by closer ties will make it impossible for them to split the island from its motherland.

However, the couple of pandas will bring happiness to people on the island. That is something no one can reverse.

(China Daily 12/24/2008 page8)