TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The head of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF, 海基會) visited Matsu's Daqiu Island (大坵島) on Wednesday (Oct. 16) and proposed sending a pair of Formosan sika deer (梅花鹿) to Fuzhou Zoo (福州動物園) as a peace symbol.
This gesture comes after recent Chinese military activities, which SEF Secretary-General Luo Wen-jia (羅文嘉) said cast a shadow over the path to peace. During his visit, Luo emphasized the symbolic nature of the deer on Daqiu Island, representing peace.
He stated that the path to peace is rugged due to differing historical memories, but we must not tread the path of hatred. He added that history shows the path of hatred can last a century. Luo urged China to collaborate with global democracies as a peace supporter rather than a disruptor.
He stressed his hopes to send the deer via the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS, 海協會) to showcase Taiwan's commitment to peace. Luo also discussed the "1992 Consensus," claiming it lacks documented records from cross-strait talks and suggested a forward-thinking approach to replace it.
He believes the key lies in whether both sides can sit down and talk, noting that the consensus should not be the basis for cross-strait relations if it excludes the Republic of China.
Luo stressed that past agreements between SEF and ARATS should serve as the foundation for negotiations and be implemented. As discussions continue, the symbolic gesture of the deer aims to foster dialogue and peace between Taiwan and China.
