Thirdly, a backlash can be expected from the pro-independence camp in Taiwan, particularly the radical faction of the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and from student activists. However, their reactions may have very little to do with rationality or the so-called pursuit of democracy or justice; they simply have to do it in order to maintain their identity in the partisan power game.

They will, as a rule, accuse Ma's goodwill meeting with Xi of "selling out Taiwan" or bypassing a scrutinized democratic process. Such accusations will prove very shortsighted in the long run, since no political party in Taiwan can bring lasting benefits to people in Taiwan without keeping a positive relationship with the Mainland. Considering the number of essential pacts being shelved in the Legislative Yuan, they may also be overconfident in the functioning of their democratic decision-making process.

The meeting between Xi Jinping and Ma Ying-jeou is a milestone in the history of cross-strait relations. The reaffirmation of the "1992 consensus" and the peaceful development achievements since 2008 by the two leaders will further consolidate the political foundation of relations and enhance mutual confidence in bringing more tangible benefits to the people on both sides and ushering in a future of lasting peace and prosperity. The actual realization and arrangements of this meeting have reflected the utmost sincerity, creativity and flexibility on both sides, and will surely go down as a glorious page in the history of the Chinese nation.

When Mr. Xi Jinping and Mr. Ma Ying-jeou shook hands, they overcame, both symbolically and factually, 66 years of enmity and distrust between Mainland and Taiwan. Watching the live broadcast on television, many Chinese people instantaneously thought of an age-old poetic couplet by Lu Xun, which was later used by Liao Chengzhi in his letter to the late Taiwan leader Chiang Qing-kuo: "For all the disasters the brotherhood has remained; a smile on meeting and enmity is banished."

For those people in Taiwan who think themselves too well versed in the Western democratic tradition to appreciate this Chinese national sentiment, let me recommend another line from John Lennon: please "give peace a chance".

The author is a China.org.cn columnist. For more information please visit: http://www.shenbo75.com/opinion/luohuaiyu.htm

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