Source: CNKI original draft
On July 24, 1982, Liao Chengzhi wrote a letter to Chiang Ching-kuo, in which Liao Chengzhi first expressed his thoughts about Chiang Ching-kuo's old friend.
Immediately after that, he clearly expressed the hope that the mainland and Taiwan would hold talks and jointly achieve the great cause of the motherland's reunification, and the letter was published in the "People's Daily" the next day.
After receiving this letter, Chiang Ching-kuo's heart was not only moved by Liao Chengzhi's concern, but also moved by Liao Chengzhi's talk about reunification, and he then put forward his own demands to the mainland.
However, in the face of Chiang Ching-kuo's request, the mainland did not agree, and Comrade Deng Xiaoping asked in a serious manner: "Do you think this demand is realistic?" ”
So, what kind of demands did Chiang Ching-kuo make to the mainland? Since then, how has the relationship between the mainland and Taiwan developed?
Liao Chengzhi's letter
On September 30, 1981, Ye Jianying issued nine suggestions on the Taiwan issue.
These nine proposals are mainly specific countermeasures formulated by the Taiwan Working Group after conducting an investigation into the cultural, economic, trade, and transportation aspects of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.
After Ye Jianying's nine-point proposal was approved and published by the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee, it quickly caused a huge shock at home and abroad.
At that time, both the people of the mainland and the people of Taiwan felt the broad-mindedness of the Communist Party of China, and the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait very much agreed with the nine-point proposal.
At this time, the leader of the Taiwan side was Chiang Ching-kuo, the eldest son of Chiang Kai-shek, who had always maintained friendly goodwill towards the mainland.
After Ye Jianying issued a nine-point proposal on Taiwan, Chiang Ching-kuo realized that this was an excellent opportunity to improve relations between the mainland and Taiwan.
So he sent relevant personnel to respond to the mainland, and all of a sudden, the people of the whole country saw the hope of resuming normal cross-strait exchanges.
In order to implement the specific policy of the Communist Party of China on Taiwan and allow the work on Taiwan to be further developed, Comrade Liao Chengzhi sent an open letter to Chiang Ching-kuo on July 24, 1982.
This open letter also appeared in the People's Daily on 25 July, which clearly reflects the mainland's enthusiasm for promoting cross-strait exchanges.
And the reason why Comrade Liao Chengzhi came forward to write this letter is also because of the particularity of his identity.
As the son of Liao Zhongkai, Liao Chengzhi has a certain relationship with the Kuomintang, and he himself has a deep friendship with Chiang Ching-kuo.
As early as when they were young, Liao Chengzhi and Chiang Ching-kuo met because of their respective fathers.
The relationship between the two is not a brother but a brother, although Liao Chengzhi and the Jiang family broke off contact because of Liao Zhongkai's incident, but in 1930, when Liao Chengzhi went to Moscow to study, he met Jiang Jingguo here.
At that time, Liao Chengzhi knew that his father's death was not Chiang Ching-kuo's fault, so he did not blame everything on him, and during the period of studying in Moscow, the relationship between the two was as good as ever.
At that time, the weather in Moscow was very cold, so when he went to bed at night, Liao Chengzhi would always take out his coat and cover it with Chiang Ching-kuo.
Because of this incident, when Liao Chengzhi wrote a letter to Chiang Ching-kuo, he also wrote: "The past is vivid. ”
In the open letter, Liao Chengzhi not only recalled his past experience with Chiang Ching-kuo, but also encouraged and comforted Chiang Ching-kuo in the tone of his fellow brother.
He understands that it is not easy for Chiang Ching-kuo to be in Taiwan today, so every word is written to show his understanding and understanding, and I have to say that Liao Chengzhi's open letter has a considerable irreplaceable power of friendship.
In addition to writing about his personal feelings for Chiang Ching-kuo, Liao Chengzhi also wrote more about the mainland's determination and deep expectations for opening cross-strait exchanges, and Liao Chengzhi also said that he was willing to go to Taiwan in person to open cross-strait exchanges.
The efforts of leaders on both sides of the strait
When Liao Chengzhi's open letter reached Chiang Ching-kuo's hands, Chiang Ching-kuo showed rare solemnity.
He put on his reading glasses and read Liao Chengzhi's sincere and touching letter.
After reading the letter, Chiang Ching-kuo did not say anything for a long time, either recalling his past with Liao Chengzhi, or thinking about the reconciliation between the mainland and Taiwan.
As a matter of fact, Chiang Ching-kuo did not have the idea of peaceful reunification between the mainland and Taiwan in his heart at this time, but unfortunately, the Taiwan authorities at that time were extremely stubborn in their stance toward the mainland of the motherland, and they believed that all this was a "conspiracy" of the Communist Party of China, so they always wholeheartedly pursued the "three noes policy."
As the person in charge of the Taiwan authorities, Chiang Ching-kuo has no choice but to consider it from the standpoint of the Taiwan authorities, but at the same time, he cannot remain silent about Liao Chengzhi's letter, otherwise it is very likely that the opportunity to restore relations with the mainland will be completely severed.
So, Chiang Ching-kuo instructed to hand over the matter to Soong Meiling to solve, but Soong Meiling was still entangled in the emotions of the Kuomintang's defeat at this time.
In her reply to Liao Chengzhi, she repeatedly emphasized the "three noes" policy that Taiwan is practicing, and finally mentioned the words "cherish yourself and return home," which greatly hurt Liao Chengzhi and even the mainland's sincerity in this matter.
Chiang Ching-kuo did not expect that Soong Meiling's reply would be so vicious, and he immediately stood up and explained to the mainland: "Everything Soong Meiling said is completely her own position and has nothing to do with the Taiwan authorities. ”
After Soong Meiling replied, Chiang Ching-kuo fell into silence for a while, thinking about how he should reply to the mainland next.
Comrade Deng Xiaoping understood Chiang Ching-kuo's difficulties, so he was not in a hurry, and said to other comrades: "This is understandable, we have to give people some time to think about it." ”
Subsequently, Deng Xiaoping also specially met with Deng Changli, who was about to go to Taiwan, and he talked in the conversation: "I see that you are going to Taiwan in the future, and I hope that you will take a look at our old friend by the way, so that he will not be silent all the time, and you can tell him our sincerity, and let him also work hard to let the two sides of the strait hold joint consultations." ”
Deng Changli took Deng Xiaoping's words to heart, and after he went to Taiwan, he relayed the sincerity of the Communist Party to Chiang Ching-kuo.
After Chiang Ching-kuo learned of the sincerity of the mainland, he finally dispelled his long-standing concerns, and in October 1982, Chiang Ching-kuo asked his former assistant Shen Cheng to secretly go to the mainland as a secret envoy to further discuss with the Communist Party.
In fact, this is not the first time Shen Cheng has gone to the mainland.
As early as 1981, Shen Cheng, who was already in Hong Kong as the director of the "New Hong Kong Times", received an invitation letter, which was an invitation letter from Ye Jianying to invite Shen Cheng to participate in the 70th anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution.
When he received this invitation, Shen Cheng's heart was very hesitant, although he had left Taiwan, he was once Chiang Ching-kuo's confidential assistant.
How could the Communist Party suddenly invite him to a commemorative meeting, how could he easily agree?
Thinking of this, Shen Cheng did not delay much, he immediately returned to Taiwan to ask Chiang Ching-kuo, Chiang Ching-kuo wanted to ease the relationship with the mainland through Shen Cheng's banquet, so he quickly approved Shen Cheng to go to the mainland.
Before Shen Cheng set off, Jiang Jingguo also specially advised: "After you go to the mainland, you can go to Xikou by the way and take some photos of my hometown and come back." ”
It can be seen from Chiang Ching-kuo's exhortation that he actually also hopes for the peaceful reunification of Taiwan with the mainland, and only in this way can he return to his hometown that he has missed for a long time.
Shen Cheng's first return to the mainland was very smooth, Ye Jianying and other high-level CCP officials talked a lot with Shen Cheng, which also laid the foundation for the in-depth contact between Chiang Ching-kuo and Deng Xiaoping.
After receiving Chiang Ching-kuo's mission, Shen Cheng arrived in Beijing on October 6, and Deng Yingchao was in charge of communicating with Shen Cheng.
In the course of the conversation, Deng Yingchao wanted to discuss with Shen Cheng many times about the peaceful reunification of the two sides of the strait, but perhaps because he received instructions from Chiang Ching-kuo, Shen Cheng never took up the topic, and he also hinted: "The current climate in Taipei has not yet reached the time when it is suitable for negotiations. ”
Deng Yingchao also understood Jiang Jingguo's thoughts, indeed, now that the two parties have just made contact, they really shouldn't be too eager, so they tacitly skipped this topic.
Regrettably, Comrade Liao Chengzhi, who had been devoted to this matter, passed away in 1983, and not being able to see the peaceful reunification of the two sides of the strait with his own eyes became the regret of his life.
After Shen Cheng's second visit to the mainland, Deng Xiaoping, Ye Jianying, and other comrades repeatedly expressed their views on public occasions expressing their hope for the peaceful reunification of Taiwan and the mainland, and this also eased the relations between Taiwan and the mainland.
In addition to the central leadership, Chiang Ching-kuo, who was far away in Taiwan, also kept an eye on the news in this regard, and finally in 1986, Chiang Ching-kuo once again asked Shen Cheng to come to the mainland, and this was also the third time that Shen Cheng came to Taiwan.
Unrealistic requirements
This time, Shen Cheng came to the mainland with the mission given to him by Chiang Ching-kuo, and after meeting with the leaders of the CPC Central Committee, he told the central leaders of Chiang Ching-kuo's request.
The mainland side had already anticipated the issues related to cross-strait trade and shipping links mentioned by Shen Cheng at the beginning, and they did not contradict the contents of this aspect.
But what the leaders did not expect was that Chiang Ching-kuo's demands also included the use of the "Three People's Principles" to unify China.
Chiang Ching-kuo's original words are as follows: "I myself am very much looking forward to the reunification of the two sides of the strait, but the Three People's Principles that are being practiced in Taiwan are not only the painstaking efforts of my father's life, but also the will of Mr. Sun Yat-sen. ”
Chiang Ching-kuo was able to make such a request, I don't know if he was really stupid, or if he really had other thoughts. If the Three People's Principles are really practiced on the mainland, where will the Communist Party of China be placed, and where will the Communist Party of China be placed in these years?
Therefore, Comrade Deng Xiaoping did not hesitate to refuse: "This is unrealistic, and history has proven that only socialism can save China and allow China to develop." The Kuomintang has been engaged in the Three People's Principles on the mainland for many years, but what it has created is a miasma of black smoke, and the country and the people have become poor and weak as a result. ”
Speaking of which, Deng Xiaoping also mentioned the reasons for the failure of the Kuomintang: "Mr. Zhongshan's Three People's Principles mentioned the people's livelihood, civil rights, and the nation, but you forgot these key points, which led to the fact that the Three People's Principles were not used very well in Taiwan." If we go to the mainland, given the complexity of the mainland's issue, the Three People's Principles alone will not be able to solve the problem. ”
Shen Cheng was originally firmly on Chiang Ching-kuo's side, but Deng Xiaoping's words moved him completely.
Seeing this, Deng Xiaoping continued to persuade: "We are all old people, we still have to solve this historical problem as soon as possible, so that our next generation can live a good life, as long as it does not violate the fundamental interests, Mr. Chiang Ching-kuo's other requirements, we will seriously consider it." ”
At the end of this round of discussions, Shen Cheng returned to Taiwan with Deng Xiaoping's reply, which he relayed to Chiang Ching-kuo verbatim.
After hearing this, Chiang Ching-chu was also very emotional, and he also understood that his idea of wanting to implement the Three People's Principles was unrealistic, so he dispelled this idea and exchanged views with the mainland side on other issues.
There has been progress, and I regret to pass away
In 1987, Shen Cheng came to Beijing again with Chiang Ching-kuo's mission, and this time he was met by Yang Shangkun, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China.
After some negotiations, Yang Shangkun handed him a letter addressed to Chiang Ching-kuo about the Communists' invitation to the Kuomintang to send representatives to Beijing for negotiations.
After receiving this letter, Chiang Ching-kuo finally made up his mind: "The CCP is sincere, and reciprocal negotiations between the parties are reasonable and feasible. ”
In this way, on July 14, 1987, Chiang Ching-kuo officially abolished the "three noes policy" that Taiwan had been practicing before, which was also the first time that the stalemate between the mainland and Taiwan broke the ice.
After learning of Chiang Ching-kuo's deeds, Deng Xiaoping was very happy, and he believed that the Taiwan issue could hopefully be resolved in his own generation.
Not only did Deng Xiaoping foresee this, but even the people on both sides of the strait felt that the motherland would soon be reunified.
However, just when cross-strait relations were making some progress, Chiang Ching-kuo suddenly died of illness on January 13, 1988, and as the ruler of Taiwan, Chiang Ching-kuo's death also cast a shadow on the process of cross-strait reunification.
After Chiang Ching-kuo's death, the newly appointed Lee Teng-hui betrayed Chiang Ching-kuo's previous trust.
As soon as he changed Chiang Ching-kuo's previous policy, the relations between the two sides of the strait, which had improved somewhat, once again fell to a freezing point, and the cross-strait issue, which had been hoped for to be resolved, once again became far away.
epilogue
It can be said that Deng Xiaoping and other state leaders have made a lot of efforts to successfully reunify the two sides of the strait, but just when they were about to succeed, they fell short because of Lee Teng-hui's episode, and it has to be said that it is a very regrettable thing.
However, we need not be discouraged, because China has gone further and has a greater certainty of Taiwan's recovery, and I believe that in the near future, Taiwan will certainly return to the embrace of the motherland.
Resources:
China National Knowledge Network "The Behind the Scenes of Liao Chengzhi's Open Letter to Chiang Ching-kuo" - Li Mingfu
https://kns.cnki.net/kcms2/article/abstract?v=BQVG6Ge829aj_rC_c4YS73AXQsGn4S4lv2-Yx_7mfF2Bw6pMr8qikMSwA6NTHDstQ57Z6tzDk3pazCRaHJyA8n14nfsW_og_dmLB3mmatQ-vR48mq5uH7DVTWzIN4rYv-8o0PzKIzAgqlCNtc8_HsQ==&uniplatform=NZKPT&language=CHS
CNKI, "Chiang Ching-kuo's Diary and Modern History Research" - Lin Xiaoting
https://kns.cnki.net/kcms2/article/abstract?v=BQVG6Ge829ZA78tbmNdxNPFsfwxSM2IMtERGmmj_kvdYhYUPhldcMby5IX7p2OcFciq9SbIYUOTPEp-hDp_Yg8M3DGyESR4DFbV1tw6CY5hkwyiksmHUI1fZosyz66Dc04TDD1fqEdhpJ_ktK0jHRg==&uniplatform=NZKPT&language=CHS