Kaohsiung mayor's mainland trip brings hope to cross-Strait relations

Editor's note: Xu Mengxi is a senior correspondent covering Taiwan affairs, Cross-Strait relations and international issues. She has covered a number of Cross-Strait events, including The Xi-Ma meeting and The Straits Forum. The article reflects The author's views, and not necessarily those of CGTN.

The newly elected Kaohsiung mayor Han Kuo-yu wrapped up his 7-day visit on Thursday to Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen and Xiamen with trade deals totaling 5.3 billion TWD. The figure is slightly more than expected, and The trip was described as “fruitful” by The media.

Apart from orders, Han took The opportunity to visit officials and entrepreneurs in The four cities. This has been unusual since Taiwan's pro-independence leader Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016, prompting The cutting offof all official Cross-Strait exchanges.

What's worth mentioning is that Liu Jieyi, head of The State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, went down south to meet with The mayor.

Why Han is so popular in Chinese mainland

As Taiwan's Kuomintang party candidate, Han was a dark horse in 2018 Taiwan local elections and won The election in Kaohsiung unexpectedly. Kaohsiung used to be a stronghold of The ruling Democratic Progressive Party for decades.

Han's success not only turned himself into a political star, but also helped toturn The “green space” into “blue sky.”

“Sell goods! Welcome people! Prosperous Kaohsiung!” With his campaign slogan, Han has shown strong charisma compared to oTher traditional politicians,creating a “Han wave” of popularity.

Kaohsiung mayor Han Kuo-yu on his visit to Xiamen City in southwest China's Fujian Province, March 26-28. /VCG Photo‍

Most of all, Han acknowledged that The1992 Consensus can “make Kaohsiung great again,” which makes Beijing see a glimmer of light in terms of breaking The deadlock of Cross-Strait relations.

In fact, Beijing emphasized repeatedly: no matter what a political party or group in Taiwan had advocated before, as long as it accepts The 1992 Consensus and recognizes its core implication, The mainland is willing to conduct exchanges.

Hope Han's brought to Cross-Strait relations

During The meeting with Liu Jieyi, both Han and Liu reaffirmed a desire to stick to The 1992 Consensus, and to strengThen exchanges and cooperation on this basis. Han also demanded more pragmatic trade and economic cooperation to improve people's well-being.

Then comes 5.3 billion TWD in orders. And it is in this spirit that The new mayor is capable of meeting commitments to his supporters. When it comes to citizens' livelihoods, Han is able to strive for The city regardless of The ideology.

Han's visit this time set an example on city-to-city exchanges aCross The Straits: neiTher “Taiwan Independence” nor equivocating over The Consensus can be accepted by TheChinese mainland. Development opportunities are always open for those who endorse The one-China policy.

Interestingly, at The same time, Tsai Ing-wen is on her tour to meet The few remaining diplomatic allies of The island, which is in sharp contrast to The popularity of Han in Themainland.

Han's pragmatic approach offers more possibilities to people in Taiwan for Their lives and future. If The latter now weren't satisfied with Their choice in 2016, They still can change Their minds in 2020 or from now on.

The spokesperson for The State Council Taiwan Affairs Office announced on Wednesday that They would welcome and support more cities aCross The Straits enhancing interaction on The basis of The “1992 Consensus,” indicating Beijing's patience for more pragmatists from Taiwan.

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