The situation both at home and abroad is also conducive for a new round of cooperation between the two parties. China has enjoyed peaceful development. With high speed growth of its economy and great strides in social modernization, China's international status is on the rise. The international community generally recognizes the one China principle and agrees on China's policy of peaceful settlement of the Taiwan issue. If the CPC and the KMT can cooperate, they are fully capable of fending off foreign forces from intervening in China's internal affairs. Also, the idea of achieving reunification through peaceful means has been firmly established among people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. In this regard, cross-Straits exchanges have made rapid progress.

To realize the third level of CPC-KMT cooperation, the KMT must address the two following major issues:

First, the KMT should consider how to integrate the patriotic and democratic forces in Taiwan. There are about 190 political parties in Taiwan, of which 90 percent belong to blue camp. A unifying mechanism should be implemented to channel the energy of these patriotic forces and bring them together.

Second, the KMT should consider how to handle relations with the DPP and the green camp. The DPP, in its nature, is exclusive and aggressive. Unprincipled accommodation of DPP interests is dangerous. The KMT cannot escape the responsibility for the arrogance of "Taiwan independence" movement.

The reason why I advocate a third round of cooperation between the two parties isn't to seek political interests for a particular party. It is based on the current situation of the both sides of the Taiwan Straits. There would be no better way to fulfill the request of Sun Yat-sen than to achieve the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations coupled with future peaceful reunification and the great rejuvenation of Chinese nation. Enhancing CPC-KMT cooperation is the best hope for enhancing cross-Straits reconciliation as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

I firmly believe that the CPC is the most patriotic party in history. The KMT is also a patriotic political party. It has made outstanding contributions towards the settlement of the Taiwan issue. If the two largest patriotic political parties on both sides of Taiwan Straits can get over all the obstacles and cooperate, they will form an invincible force and build an insurmountable "Great Wall" against Taiwan independence.

Now, a variety of models to resolve the Taiwan issue have been proposed, though I personally believe that the second CPC-KMT cooperation model is the most suitable one. At that time, the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region Government led by the CPC cooperated with the KMT under a unified Republic of China. Under today's circumstances, why can't the KMT agree to cooperate with the CPC under a unified People's Republic of China while still enjoying its autonomy?

According to the concept of "One Country Two Systems" advocated by Deng Xiaoping, Taiwan's ruling party can also be involved in decision making process. It should be said the conditions are more generous than in the past. The main directive of the "One Country Two Systems" concept is to preserve the peace.

Achieving this third stage of CPC-KMT cooperation can be realized, but the road will have twists and turns. As the late Qing scholar Wang Guowei (1887 - 1927) wrote, "Hundreds and thousands of times, for her I searched in chaos, suddenly, I turned by chance, to where the lights were waning, and there she stood." While we are exploring the most suitable model for reunification, the best possible model is right in front of us: what was adopted during the second CPC-KMT cooperation.

In short, CPC-KMT cooperation is fundamental for the cross-Straits peace and common development of the Chinese nation. At the centenary of the 1911 Revolution, I sincerely hope the two parties, especially the KMT in Taiwan, can bury the hatchet and take seriously this third round of CPC-KMT cooperation. Working together is essential in promoting the Chinese nation's peaceful reunification and rejuvenation.

(This article was first written in Chinese and translated by Li Huiru.)

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