NationStates Jolt Archive

Today, Chairman Lee Sueng-Mai announced today that he will hold a diplomatic meeting with a select group of Taiwanese statesmen. This coming after he announced his intent to create a Free Trade Zone in the Far East.

"It is time to put the differences of our two lands behind us, and to begin a new stage of growth for China." said the Chairman, who is know for spearheading the metamorphasis of China into a modern economic state. He has yet to say what his goals are, though he says that he intends to use peaceful measures, and to make both parties satisfied by the agreement.

OOC: I need someone to RP as Taiwan, if you do, you could possibly be rewarded a modship

IC (as Taiwan):

Given the changes in the mainland, the government in Taipei is willing to cooperate in these discussions. There are still doubts about the political system in effect in the mainland, but a good discussion is worthwhile if we can come to some accord.

Li Sung-Mai sat at his desk reviewing his notes on the conference. industrial output in China has risen by 80% in the last five years. One of the largest growth rates in the world. Why would that compell Taiwan to give in to a decades old fight for soverignity. The People's Republic and the United States have had the best relations since the pre-war era. Sure, their military funds to fend of a Chinese invasion are cuput, and the Chinese have one of the finest fighting forces in the world thanks to some swift diplomactic moves by Chairman Li. But why would they even accept an invitation to Shanghai. When it comes to Taiwanese affairs, the Chairman is a amateur, having been thrust into this post just six years ago, and had never dealt with the Taiwanese question before today, on the eve of what he hoped to become his legacy, a economic union in the pacific. The delegation would most likely be at the door soon, and Li had no idea what his path of conversation would be, let alone how he would compell them to join the People's Republic. Oh, how he hated not having his conversations tenativly planned beforehand, he would stutter horribly, fumbling on every word, just like he had as a child.

"Chairman your guests are here." called the friendly voice of Jae, his personal butler. Here we go Li thought to himself.

Chang Hai-Zhou had been selected by the National Congress to attend to the meeting in Shanghai, mostly to see what kind of offers the Mainland would offer to the people in Taiwan. He was a relative nobody in the government, which made it better when it came to dealing with the Beijingren ("people from Beijing" - doesn't translate nicely). His disposition was calm and conserved, as he kept most of his opinions to himself. Secrecy was his weapon, and a pen was his preferred side-arm. With this authority and respect granted to Chang, he proceeded to the main meeting hall where he awaited the Chairman Li's arrival.

Chairman Li entered the meeting room, wearing a pair of slacks with a white collared shirt with a red tie. He had red jade cufflinks, with embossed chinese stars. His wireframe glasses, black, rested studiously on his nose. He saw composed man infront of him, and stood infront of him. He waited for the man to stand up, so he may bow to him.

Chairman Li entered the meeting room, wearing a pair of slacks with a white collared shirt with a red tie. He had red jade cufflinks, with embossed chinese stars. His wireframe glasses, black, rested studiously on his nose. He saw composed man infront of him, and stood infront of him. He waited for the man to stand up, so he may bow to him.

(ooc: I've never seen red jade, until the Chairman just recently dipped his cufflinks in blood... and what your Chairman sounds like he is doing is performing a kowtow - don't worry about the bow, just a gentle lean forward from the waist up is fine)

Chang Hai-Zhou stood up and reached for the Chairman's hand before he bowed. Being western-oriented, he was more casual with a handshake than a gentle bow. But yet, a little resemblance of culture resounded as both men leaned forward and bowed while they shook hands.

"It is quite an honor to receive your invitation, Chairman Li," Chang said. "I am Chang Hai-Zhou, a representative selected and sent by the government from Taipei. I presume that we have much business to attend to, so shall we begin very shortly?"

Chairman Li nodded and opened his arms over, in a pointing way inviting Chang. "Absolutely; but we first should eat." Chang nodded and accepted the Chairman's hospitality as they headed to the dining quarters, escorted by their respective delegations.

(ooc: I've never seen red jade, until the Chairman just recently dipped his cufflinks in blood... and what your Chairman sounds like he is doing is performing a kowtow - don't worry about the bow, just a gentle lean forward from the waist up is fine)

Chang Hai-Zhou stood up and reached for the Chairman's hand before he bowed. Being western-oriented, he was more casual with a handshake than a gentle bow. But yet, a little resemblance of culture resounded as both men leaned forward and bowed while they shook hands.

"It is quite an honor to receive your invitation, Chairman Li," Chang said. "I am Chang Hai-Zhou, a representative selected and sent by the government from Taipei. I presume that we have much business to attend to, so shall we begin very shortly?"

Chairman Li nodded and opened his arms over, in a pointing way inviting Chang. "Absolutely; but we first should eat." Chang nodded and accepted the Chairman's hospitality as they headed to the dining quarters, escorted by their respective delegations.

When Chairman Li entered his dining quarters, he immediatly began to conjure up his argument, while eating a small meal of a pinyin and two Xiao Long Baos, the cultural similarities between the two men was uncanny, as well as their apparent relations to the West, as Chang was just as at home with a handshake as Li was, thanks to his relations with the United States that have helped to make his nation a industrial as well as military powerhouse. The nations also have markets for each other's goods, helping to fuel a more consumer-driven economy that Li has been trying to achieve since becoming Chairman in 2007. The Taiwanese have a stronger Yuan than the Chinese, thus their currency would have to be adopted. The whole plan was formulating inside Li's head as he ate, strangely enough, he usually never did his best thinking in these quarters, but at his his retreat in Machuria.

OOC: I thought kowtow was done on all fours, and that a polite bow was deep, but maybe that is just my western perceptions.

(ooc: a polite bow is uber-respectful - you probably just want to do a courtesy bow, out of formality. and btw, I just went to the market yesterday and saw some red jade... :D)

Chang was suspicious of this Chairman Li. He had always harbored suspicion of mainland officials, but Chairman Li was different, and it wasn't in a completely bad way. He didn't know what to think of him - he turns nearly completely capitalist, puts China into debt for the first time since the late 1980's, but institutes no serious political liberations. What kind of China is this now? Imperial? Chang shuttered to even think of the word - China could never go back to the ancient dynasties; both communist and nationalist agreed on that.

He didn't have much a taste for food, but it was satisfying and offered him some relief in his mind. Regardless, he continued to think - what does China want from Taiwan, and what can Taiwan get out of this?

Chang was suspicious of this Chairman Li. He had always harbored suspicion of mainland officials, but Chairman Li was different, and it wasn't in a completely bad way. He didn't know what to think of him - he turns nearly completely capitalist, puts China into debt for the first time since the late 1980's, but institutes no serious political liberations. What kind of China is this now? Imperial? Chang shuttered to even think of the word - China could never go back to the ancient dynasties; both communist and nationalist agreed on that.

He didn't have much a taste for food, but it was satisfying and offered him some relief in his mind. Regardless, he continued to think - what does China want from Taiwan, and what can Taiwan get out of this?


OOC: Sorry for the long delay, i was at drivers ed all weekend, here it is

IC: When Li walked in the room, Chang was already there, looking as calm and collected as he had before. Does this man ever show any emotion? Li thought to himself.

"How did you enjoy the meal, I loved the dumplings, my chef really outdid himself this time. If you would not mind, I would like to explain to you my reasoning for why I called this meeting."

Chang nodded. "I was pleased with the meal. It was somewhat satisfying after having been on my voyage here."

And as Chairman Li continued to speak, Chang nodded again and replied. "Please explain." And he let out a smile for the first time.

OO: Sorry again for the weeklong delay, first week of school, you know how it is.

IC: Li was somewhat suprised by the smile, it was somewhat cynical, and political, almost forced, what was there that Li did not know about Chang. Putting this out of his mind, he began to give his explanation.

"In mid-two thousand seven, when I came to power, I though to myself, the time for Maoism has ended, the fast track of economic growth before the days of the flu were over, back when the communist system could allow for growth soley thanks to the mass of workers that we had with which we could power a low technology economy. The next generation of these workers had died out, making the need to end the labor-based system even more pressing. So I began a massive overhaul of the economy, from the ground up. At first, I was not sure that the debt that I had built up would allow me to continue on this growth, but in a strange turn of events, I made my first endevour into world affairs by negotiating with longtime nemisis Japan to pay for our debts, helping me to bide my time and pump more money into the fledgling economy, which at this point had shown me no dividends. Then everything started to click. The war in Pakistan brought a new demension to our lands, a wartime footing which began a record amount of growth, and I saw the beginnings of a middle class start to develop. Though the war was a travesty, beginning a nuclear winter, it was also a blessing. It help to resolve a longstanding cold relationship with our negihbor to the south, giving us an ally in a nation which has been at the forefront of the movment from low to high tech in the recent years, with their computer-based economy skyrocketing the standard of life for many. However, unlike India, I would like to see a self-sustianing economy develop in China, one that would no longer be dependent on the whims of outside world. I want a consumer-based economy similar to the one in Japan. This I feel can best be established by a merger between our two lands, economiclly and politically. The time of two Chinas needs to come to an end, with both adopting parts of the others, for example, the Chinese Yuan, flimsy compared to its Taiwanese counterpart, would have to be put out of use, I would like to see Taiwan become the commercial center of China, a outlet for the rest of the world. So tell me, how do you feel about this.

(ooc: Both Chinas maintain the "One China, Two governments" policy... I will post a reply once I get more time...)

"My government in Taipei is likely to be receptive of your calls, which are all economically sound and structured. But what of your political advances? Taipei has not seen sufficient evidence to prove that Beijing has abandoned its strict policy of totalitarianism. After all, that is our greatest concern."

Chang's smile had since faded into the creases of his face, leaving Li with an equally unexpressive and almost mechanical appearance as before.

[ooc: sorry for the late reply]

"My government in Taipei is likely to be receptive of your calls, which are all economically sound and structured. But what of your political advances? Taipei has not seen sufficient evidence to prove that Beijing has abandoned its strict policy of totalitarianism. After all, that is our greatest concern."

Chang's smile had since faded into the creases of his face, leaving Li with an equally unexpressive and almost mechanical appearance as before.

[ooc: sorry for the late reply]


"I romise you that the democratic reforms are coming, but right now, there are too many critics in the Party to allow for it. It is quite possible I would be taken from office, and replaced with a old-time hardliner. I would have to allow more time for the Party to ajust, and I cannont merely outlaw it, for I would have a revolution on my hands."

"Well, that is reassuring. I suppose we'd rather have the reformist than the Maoist. But Taipei will consider the political landscape, as we would not want to share autonomy with a system that still outlaws the Guomindang."

I have no intention of keeping the ban on the Guomindang nor any other political party, in fact, one of my goals of the year is to allow the democratic process to begin on the local level, initiating stage one of the democratization of the country, which I feel will bring even more economic prosperity to the burgeoning economy, which is on the verge of becoming the most powerful in the world behind Japan, the United States, and Western Europe.

"I am not certain how Taipei will respond," Chang said. "The words you offer are, at least, assuring. But that I think I can say. I can think of some words that some of our people officials would say, but at the moment, I am personally pleased at the progress that the Mainland has made towards opening China to more democratic and free processes. But again, economic prosperity is only half of the story. There are numerous allegations that the Mainland must redress, as a legacy of the animosity between our two systems. Notably among these would be the Guomindang exile, and the subsequent disregard for the rights of humans in China."

Li seemed a bit impatient at the moment, but nonetheless, he realized that Chang was not the highest legitimate authority to discuss these things with. He honestly would have rather had the Prime Minister, but reflecting on the history between the Mainland and Taipei, he was glad that anyone came.

"I must be frank," Chang continued. "I am pleased to see how much progress we have made in this discussion. We ought to take a break for the moment, and reconvene later. I think that this talking has made me thirsty."

"Yes, I would agree, it would be best if we take a short break, perhaps for the night, as you are most likely tired from your journey. Perhaps tommorow I could interest you in a tour of the city, so you may see a peice of the Reformed China."

Chang went to the private lounge, and made ready a call to Taipei. What was transpiring was somewhat unusual for mainland tactics, so he would have to consult his advisors on the best mode of dealing with the situation. Heaven forbid if circumstances weere actually favorable to Taipei.