Xi’s and Ma’s speeches at the cross-strait meeting (Chinese with English translation)

A historic moment no doubt:

Video: A handshake 66 years in the making. Historic meeting between #XiJinping, Ma Ying-jeou in Singapore pic.twitter.com/lzlLkBhRb7

— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) November 7, 2015

The first-ever encounter between leaders of mainland China and Taiwan took place Saturday in Singapore. Both sides agreed to address each other as mister instead of addressing by political titles. Despite Chinese state media Xinhua News’ positive take on Taiwan’s response to the meeting (the headline reads “Xi-Ma meeting closely followed in Taiwan, drawing keen response”), Taiwanese has expressed disapproval, even anger, by protesting in downtown Taipei as the meeting went on.

Both leaders gave public speeches at the meeting. A Taiwanese TV station broadcasted the speeches live. The same action, however, was not reciprocated by the Chinese media. I found the Chinese transcripts of both of the speeches through foreign media online and translated them to English myself. Feel free to comment if explanation is needed or if there’s any mistake made. I will also be writing a opinion piece later this week and possibly posting that Tuesday or Wednesday.

---

MA’S SPEECH

Taiwanese leader Ma Ying Jeou’s speech is 1421 words long, containing keywords like “peace/peaceful, prosper, communication and cooperation, mutually beneficial.” He stressed the importance of maintaing status quo and pushing for further financial cooperations cross-strait. The Chinese transcript for Ma’s speech is provided by BBC Chinese.

習先生，大陸與台灣代表團的各位女士、先生，以及在場的媒體朋友們，大家午安，大家好！

Mr. Xi, ladies and gentlemen from mainland and Taiwan, journalists and media, good afternoon!

今天，我與習近平先生分別以台灣與大陸領導人的身份，穿越66年的時空，伸手相握，握著兩岸的過去與未來，也握著中華民族振興的希望，深具歷史意義。

Mr. Xi and I gather here today as political leaders for mainland and Taiwan respectively, reaching through the space and time of 66 years and shake hands. This handshake ties with the past and the future for both sides of the strait. It ties with the hope of revitalization of the Chinese people, and has great historical meanings.

22年前，也就是1993年的4月，台灣海基會董事長辜振甫先生與大陸海協會會長汪道涵先生在新加坡會面，簽訂了4個協議，為兩岸制度化協商打下了基礎。12年前，也就是2003年的10月，我在「東亞經濟高峰會」上，與新加坡建國總理李光耀資政對談。當時我們都認為：「兩岸的發展，要以人民的利益為依歸。」

22 years ago, in April 1993, Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) chairman, Mr. Koo Chen-fu and mainland’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) chairman, Mr. Wang Daohan met in Singapore and signed four agreements. These agreements laid the foundation for the “Institutional Negotiation” cross-strait. 12 years ago, in October 2003, I had a dialogue with Singapore’s founding premier Lee Kuan Yew* about economy and politics at the East Asian Summit. We both agreed then that cross-strait development has to depend on what’s best for the people.

(*Lee died in March this year at age 91.)

此刻，我和習先生相對而坐，共聚一堂，在我們背後的，是兩岸分隔超過一甲子的歷史；在我們眼前的，是這幾年來，雙方致力「以對話取代對立、以和解替代衝突」的成果；在我們手上的，是永續和平與繁榮的目標。此時此刻，海峽兩岸正大聲向全世界宣示鞏固台海和平的決心，以及促進區域和平的訊息。

Now, I sit across from Mr. Xi, and behind us is the history of six decades of separation across the strait; and in front of us is the positive results that stemmed from both sides’ effort to “let conversation replace opposition, let reconciliation replace collision” in the past couple years. We share the goal of continuing peace and prosperity. Right now, people on both sides are sending the world a strong message of our determination to maintain peace cross the strait and promote peace in the region.

這66年來，兩岸在不同的體制下發展，能夠從軍事對抗轉為合作交流，絕非朝夕之功。7年多來，兩岸簽訂了23項協議，創造了4萬多學生交流、每年800萬旅客往來與1700多億美元貿易的空前榮景。這些巨大改變的基礎，都在於「和平」。

In the past 66 years, mainland and Taiwan has developed under different political systems. Turning from military confrontation to cooperation and communication is nothing that can be achieved overnight. For the past seven years, cross-strait cooperation has made 23 agreements, 40,000 exchange student opportunities, 8,000,000 travelers every year and a total trade amount of $170 billion (U.S. dollars), possible. The basis of all these tremendous changes is peace.

歷史為兩岸留下了錯綜複雜的世代課題，這正是「尚書」所說的「非知之艱，行之維艱」。對於各自堅持的敏感議題，需要雙方正視現實，以智慧、耐心與誠意務實處理。但是，我們依然能夠努力在雙方這些年來建構的「制度性協商」之下，達成了兩岸和解與合作，推動了永續和平與繁榮，而這也是兩岸及國際社會共同的期待。

History determined that cross-strait relationship will be a complicated and difficult task, like how it says in Shangshu*: “understanding the difficulty is easy, but moving forward is not.” Considering the sensitive topics that the two sides insist on, we need to both face the reality and handle issues with wisdom and patience. But, based on the Institutaional Negotiation idea we built together these years, we could try our best to reconcile and cooperate across the strait and promote ongoing peace and prosperity. And these are the expectations that people in mainland, Taiwan and around the world all share.

(*Also known as “The Book of Documents” or “Classic of History”, one of the Five Classics of ancient Chinese literature written almost two thousand years ago.)

今天，我願提出維繫兩岸和平繁榮現狀的五點主張：

Today, I would like to raise five proposals for maintaining the current peaceful and prosper situation across the strait.

第一、鞏固「九二共識」，維持和平現狀。海峽兩岸在1992年11月就「一個中國」原則達成的共識，簡稱「九二共識」。九二共識是兩岸推動和平發展的共同 政治基礎，正是因為雙方共同尊重九二共識，過去7年半來，我們才能獲致包括達成23項協議在內的豐碩成果與和平榮景，讓兩岸關係處於66年來最和平穩定的 狀態。這個部分，等一下在會談時，我會再進一步說明。

First, consolidate the 1992 Consensus and maintain the peaceful status quo. In November 1992, both parties across the strait has reached the common idea of “One China” principal, also known as the 1992 consensus. The 1992 Consensus is the political common ground for promoting the peaceful development in both mainland and Taiwan. Only because both sides across the strait respect the 1992 Consensus, could we manage to achieve the fruitful results from peace and prosperity, including signing 23 agreements and maintaining the most stable cross-strait relationship in the last 66 years. Considering this part, I will go into more details in the talks later.

第二、降低敵對狀態，和平處理爭端。兩岸目前已不再處於過去的衝突對立，雙方應持續降低敵對狀態，並以和平方式解決爭端。

Second, avoid confrontations and deal with disputes peacefully. Now, Mainland and Taiwan are no longer under military confrontation as before. Both sides should continue avoid direct confrontations and try to solve disputes in a peaceful manner.

第三、擴大兩岸交流，增進互利雙贏。兩岸目前尚未結案的議題，例如貨貿協議、兩會互設機構、與陸客中轉等，應盡速處理，以創造兩岸雙贏。

Third, broaden cross-strait communication and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. Some unresolved topics, for example trade agreement, setting up agencies on the other side of the strait, mainland travelers transfer, should be resolved quickly to achieve win-win outcomes.

第四、設置兩岸熱線，處理急要問題。兩岸目前在海基會、海協會首長之間，與陸委會、國台辦副首長之間，均已設有聯繫機制。今後應在陸委會、國台辦首長之間設立熱線，以處理緊急與重要問題。

Fourth, set up cross-strait hotline to deal with urgent issues. There has been contact system currently set up between chairmen of Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and mainland’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), as well as between vice chairmen of Taiwan’s Executive Yuan Mainland Affairs Council and mainland’s Taiwan Affairs Office. In the future, a hotline should be set up between chairmen of Executive Yuan Mainland Affairs Council and Taiwan Affairs Office in order to deal with urgent and important issues.

第五、兩岸共同合作，致力振興中華。兩岸人民同屬中華民族、都是炎黃子孫，應互助合作，致力振興中華。

Fifth, both sides across the strait work together to revitalize China. People cross-strait are all Chinese descendants and should work with each other to help revitalize China.

這五點主張不是為一己之私、單方之利，而是為了後代子孫的幸福。我誠摯地希望，雙方都應該重視人民所珍惜的價值與生活方式，維護兩岸和平，以中華文化蘊涵的智慧，確保兩岸互利雙贏。

These five proposals are not for unilateral benefit, but for the wellbeing of future generations. I genuinely hope that both mainland and Taiwan would focus on the values and lifestyles of the people, maintain the peaceful relationship across the strait, and rely on the Chinese wisdom to make sure mutually-beneficial outcomes are achieved on both sides.

習先生，當前的兩岸關係，已經是1949年以來最為和平穩定的階段。這幾年，我常常在台灣的大學校園中，看到兩岸學生一起討論、一起運動、一起演奏、一起歡笑的畫面。那種自然的水乳交融，往往讓我既欣慰，又感動。他們有熱情、有創意；但他們沒有仇恨，沒有包袱；他們能在人生較早的階段建立友誼，一定可以為兩岸永續和平打下更堅實的基礎。我們要好好珍惜、擴大這個基礎。

Mr. Xi, the current cross-strait relationship has been the most peaceful and stable since 1949. In these years, I often see college students from mainland and Taiwan gather together to discuss, play sports, perform and laugh together on college campuses in Taiwan. Their natural and effortless interactions make me delighted and gratified. They share passions and creativity; but they have no hatred or baggage; if they can establish friendship in early period of their lives, they sure can establish a firmer foundation for the everlasting peace across the strait. We need to cherish and expand this foundation.

北宋大儒張橫渠主張「為天地立心，為生民立命，為往聖繼絕學，為萬世開太平」。習先生，為了兩岸人民，讓我們一起努力，為生民立命，為萬世開太平，為中華民族開創更和平燦爛的未來。

Zhang Hengqu, a scholar from the North Song Dynasty proposed the idea: to build up the manifestations of Heaven and Earth’s spirit, to build up good life for the populace, to develop past sages’ endangered scholarship, and to open up eternal peace. Mr. Xi, for people cross-trait, let’s work together, build up good life for the populace, open up eternal peace and initiate a more peaceful and brighter future for the Chinese people.

謝謝大家！

Thank you all.

---

XI’S SPEECH

Xi Jingping’s speech is much shorter compared to Ma’s, with 662 words. He stressed the overarching theme of “unity,” played the emotional card and reiterated the “we are one family” statement. The speech contained fewer details, but did have a shoutout to the outside world by saying “Chinese people across the strait are perfectly capable of solving their own problems wisely.” The original transcript comes from Nownews. And here is the translation.

尊重的馬英九先生，各位朋友大家好，今天是一個非常特別的日子，兩岸領導人見面，翻開兩岸關係歷史性的一頁，歷史將會紀念今天。曾幾何時，兩岸風雲密布，兩岸隔海相望，親人音訊斷絕，給無數家庭留下刻骨銘心的傷痛，然而海峽隔不斷兄弟親情，同胞親情的力量，終於在上個世紀80年代，打開了兩岸封鎖的大門。

Respected Mr. Ma Ying-jeou, and friends, good afternoon. Today is a special day. Leaders across the strait meeting is a historical moment for the cross-strait relationship. History will remember today. History will remember today. There was a time when military tensions casted shadows over mainland and Taiwan, relatives looked at each other afar but lost contact across the strait, causing pains and sorrows to countless families. However, the strait could not separate the kinship of brothers and families, and eventually in 1980s, we opened the closed door across the strait.

2008年以來，兩岸關係走上了和平發展的道路，過去七年，台海局勢安定祥和，兩岸和平發展成果豐碩，兩岸雙方和廣大同胞為此付出了大量的心血，正因為有了這七年的積累，兩岸雙方才能邁入今天歷史性的一步，在此，我要向所有為推動兩岸關係發展做出貢獻的同胞和朋友，表示衷心的感謝，兩岸關係66年的發展歷程表裡面，不管兩岸同胞經歷多少風雨，有過多長時間的隔絕，沒有任何力量能夠把我們分開，因為我們是打斷骨頭連著筋的同胞，是血濃於水的一家人。

Since 2008, cross-strait relationship has entered the path of peaceful development. In the past seven years, the situation in Taiwan Strait has remained peaceful and stable, and the peaceful development cross strait has raised fruitful results. Both sides across the strait and many people have put in tremendous effort for the development. Only because of the accumulation in the past seven years, can the both sides across the strait take the historical leap today. I will to give my most sincere gratification to those who have contributed to developing cross-strait relationship. In the 66-year timeline of the cross-strait development, no matter how many hardships we both experienced, no matter how long of a separation we once had, no force can pull us apart, because we are one family connected by heritage and blood, and blood is thicker than water.

當前，兩岸發展內容方向面臨方向和抉擇，我們今天坐在一起，是為了讓歷史悲劇不再重演，讓兩岸關係跟發展成果不得而復失，讓兩岸同胞繼續開創和平安寧的生活，讓我們彼此的後代，共享美好未來，兩岸雙方應該從兩岸關係發展歷程中得到啟迪，以對民族負責，對歷史負責的擔當，做得出經得起歷史的檢驗的正確選擇，我們應該以行動向世人表明，兩岸中國人完全有能力智慧解決好自己的問題，並共同為世界與地區和平穩定發展繁榮，做出更大貢獻，我希望兩岸雙方共同努力，兩岸同胞攜手奮鬥，堅持九二共識，鞏固共同政治基礎，堅定走兩岸和平發展道路，保持兩岸關係發展正確方向，深化兩岸交流合作，增進兩岸同胞福祉，共謀中華民族偉大復興，讓兩岸同胞共享民族復興的偉大榮耀。

Currently, the content of cross-strait development is facing change of directions of options. We are seated together here today so that the tragedies of history will not be repeated, so that the gains from peaceful development across the strait will not be won and again lost, so that compatriots on both sides of the strait continue making peaceful and tranquil lives, and so that succeeding generations can share a beautiful future. Both sides across the strait should receive enlightenment from the history of cross-strait relationship development, taking on the responsibility of ethnicity and history to make the right choice that will stand the testing of history. We should show the world with our actions that Chinese people across the strait are perfectly capable of solving their own problems wisely, and contributing to the regional stability and prosperity. I hope both sides across the strait can work together, all people across the strait can strive together, insist on the 1992 Consensus, consolidate the common political foundation, walk along the path of cross-strait peaceful development, maintain the right direction of the cross-state relationship, deepen cross-state communication and cooperation and enhance the wellbeing of people across the strait, and together, achieve the revitalization of the Chinese ethnicity, whose honor all Chinese people should share.