The Communist Party of China (CPC) and Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) formally started an exchange programme among their low-level cadres yesterday. A 30-member delegation from the KMT's Taichung Office arrived in Xiamen in the southeastern province of Fujian for a four-day visit.

During the trip, the group is scheduled to hold talks with the Xiamen Municipal Committee of the CPC on a wide range of matters. They will also exchange views with students from Xiamen University at a seminar.

As the KMT has planned, further similar exchanges will be instigated between dozens of cities and counties across the Straits in the coming weeks.

The exchanges arise from the agreement reached between CPC Central Committee General Secretary Hu Jintao and former KMT Chairman Lien Chan during their historic meeting in April. They decided to establish a platform for regular exchanges between the two parties, including visits by party officials at various levels.

Low-level cadre exchanges are as important as the highest-level meetings of top party leaders. If agreements between party leaders play a guiding role in developing bilateral relations, it still takes concrete steps and solid work from each party member and low-level unit to implement plans.

The recent 17th party congress of the KMT adopted a policy platform that included the "common aspiration and prospects for cross-Straits peace and development" jointly issued by Hu and Lien. It needs further measures such as the on-going exchange programme to push forward implementation.

The party-to-party cadre exchange will be of great significance to the development of cross-Straits relations. It shows the determination and sincerity of the CPC and KMT to promote cross-Straits reconciliation, peace and development for the benefit of people on both sides.

As Lien hopes, the exchange programme will not only mean communication, sharing of opinions and friendship-forming among party officials, but also boost cultural and trade ties across the Straits.

Face-to-face exchanges help strengthen mutual understanding and trust after a decades-old enmity. But they will also help solve some practical problems standing in the way of closer links between Taiwan and the mainland.

The exchanges conform to the aspiration of most people on both sides for developing peaceful and stable ties across the Straits. Safeguarding cross-Straits peace and stability contributes to achieving a win-win situation of mutual benefit between Taiwan and the mainland.

In stark contrast, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration has been preoccupied with an outdated mentality and "pro-independence ideology." Besides setting hurdles to cross-Straits exchanges, it has been holding a hostile and provocative attitude towards the mainland. Its attempts to stir up confrontation have fuelled cross-Straits tensions.

Such irresponsible action highlights the DPP's self-interest as well as its disregard for the fundamental interests of the Taiwanese public. If not checked, its secessionist activities in the guise of "loving Taiwan" will only end up damaging the island.

(China Daily August 24, 2005)