14th January,2011
One. Recently, statistics the small three links on both sides have reached 6 million people, in those days when necessary to bypass Hong Kong or Macau, but now a back and forth can save about 1700 Yuan, that is 6 million people multiply by 1700 Yuan equals to 10 billion and 200 million, to save more than 10 billion travelling expenses for compatriots on both sides，also save time and energy. This is how large astronomical figure, not including business opportunities of small three links, especially for Taiwan people bought house earned big money from the navigation, got married and so on, some people change live, some people changed life(For example: annex Taiwan clippings).
Cao Yuan-zhang said,” I don’t dare to take credit, but if without the power of people forced the government promotion, I dare say, maybe not today’s small three links, at least small three links can’t open up navigation so fast. “
Two. Ten years ago, Nationalist Party was leaded by two state theory of Li Deng-hui, what is called “no haste be patient”, it was opposed to three direct links, not to mention the chance to small three links, the strategy of Cao Yuan-zhang and others is form a group to visit former premier Qian Qi-shen in Beijing at the first, lobbying the Chinese government agreed to ahead, after self-identity, then return to Taiwan to lobby Taiwan government, including press conference, parade and struggle, issue publications, through legislature to set laws, the most important of all, on 18th Auguest, 1998, Cao Yuan-zhang came with nine brave men direct route from Xiamen to Taiwan, all have been arrested, in violation of “national security law” and “people on both sides relations act” , sentenced to 59 days, and then sent to prison, by government and international media attention, later under the strong pressure of public opinion, Taiwan officially opened on 2nd , January, 2001. (Please refer to annex)
Three. In fact the noun of “small three links” was created by Cao Yuan-zhang, at the beginning, ever to created name “small small three links” that is Democratic Progressive Party government doesn’t agree with the “small three links”, Cao Yuan-zhang wants to use a small island of Matsu(such as Beigan township close to Huangqi of the mainland at the most), let the Beigan island open a door carry through “small three links”.
Four. Nowadays small three links have reached 6 million people, but too much issues need to be further communications between the two sides, for example, Jinmen was already building large building the bridge between Jinmen and little Jinmen, Jinmen bridge will certainly pass in the future, but now both sides should plan to building Jinxia large bridge between of both sides, and plan to the border customs clearance and other issues, and the hospital on both sides, through water. The current Jinxia shipping integrated into a joint venture company, ticket price and service can be achieved higher level. Talk about Jinxia larger bridge, Cao Yuan-zhang said, Jinmen and Xiamen both have their own feature, “two men” should be twins city, both have their different improvement, Jinmen should be towards to go sightseeing and leisure, Xiamen should be towards to economy and trade, complementary and mutual benefit. As the former Jinmen county magistrate Li Zhu-feng said, in construction of Jinxia “peace” large bridge can be become the beginning of mutual trust, Jinmen will be saved military expenditure for Taiwan, worthy to build a bridge, when it has the bridge, but also can be building the shopping duty free malls, war history museum, the global tourism and health care area, the global South Fujian cultural park, educational and cultural center, and so on, let Jinmen has an opportunity to connect with Haixi economic zone each other. In addition, two “Ma” go ahead of the first, from Beigan Mazu to Huangqi can be add routes, establish “the cross-strait and Lianjiang economic and trade zone” and so on, cross-strait Lianjiang cooperation at the first, lay more solid foundation for “one nation two systems.”
Five. In 2008, Konmintang returned to power that all recognized, small three links is the experience of three direct links, also lay more successful foundation for today’s three direct links, in other ways to say, in those days some people cursed small three links is “The Trojan horse”, these were all approved the small three links is right, is benefit for Taiwan and mainland.
Six. Cao Yuan-zhang is the only one sent to prison for small three links among of entire Chinese.
Seven. “Xiamen city cross-strait exchange association” and “Jinmen cross-strait exchange association” signed a cooperation agreement at the Xiamen hotel in 2nd, March, 2001, was achieved during Cao Yuan-zhang appointed director(see agreement), this agreement is just mainland ARATS and Taiwan strait exchange foundation closed the door of consultation, and Cao Yuan-zhang has acted many important role during that period of history, for example: a Taiwanese soldier fall overboard and floating to Pintan island, then the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council agreed to take this soldier to Taiwan, another time, a coast guard of Mazu was seized by mainland fishermen to Fuzhou, also through the mediation of Cao Yuan-zhang back to Taiwan, ever created a sensation, Taiwan Army Committee chairman Cai Ying-wen was jealous, actually said:”How can you bring the person back?” Cao Yuan-zhang retorted her “Do I send the person to mainland, by your authority to bring back?’’ Cao Yuan-zhang recalled, “in that time the cross-strait atmosphere was very bad, ARATS and SEF closed the door of consultation, if he didn’t make a prompt decision negotiate with Taiwan Affairs Office, I really didn’t know when to back Taiwan? (see date).
Eight. Now he retired and settled in Xiamen for the rest of his life, this is the most suitable city for living in the whole China, he emphasized that he still like a candle is burning, a day has gone then our life is one day shorter, even though the rest of the days were numbered, but he also assist to promote “one nation, two systems”, he has been appointed as director of Xiamen office, about “one nation, two systems”, Cao Yuan-zhang think that this is the goal just fit for both sides compatriots make great efforts, under the framework of the one Chinese, Taiwan can maintain the present status and strive to develop, meanwhile, economic and trade cooperation with the mainland, mutual benefit and survival, towards the most affluent living environment of the global.
At present, he often hold art and literati activities with both coasts calligraphers, published 《Hundred spring couplets of calligraphers on both sides》every year, last year the vice-chairman of ARATS Zhang Ming-qing wrote the preface, this year deputy director of Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council Zheng Li-zhong wrote the preface, ARATS pay attention to it especially.