BEIJING, May 13 (Xinhuanet) -- Following the mainland visits of two opposition party leaders Lien Chan and James CY Soong, a "mainland fever" has swept Taiwan as public interest and affinity for the mainland are rising rapidly. It reflects the true feelings of Taiwan people, who desire peace, stability and fraternity with their mainland compatriots.

    A recent survey by the China Times newspaper in Taiwan showed the approval rate of pro-independence leader Chen Shui-bian has fallen to 39 percent from 44 percent in February. In contrast, the approval rate for pro-reunification Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan has risen to 47 percent and the approval rate for pro-reunification People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong has risen to 35 percent.

    In a TVBS opinion poll, nearly 70 percent of Taiwan people wish to accept a couple of giant pandas presented to Taiwan by the mainland as a gift.

    For a long time, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) with the green symbol has been vigorously promoting "Taiwan independence" using executive resources. It even labels any showing of affinity to the mainland as "selling out Taiwan", a practice known as "green terror".

    It intentionally mixes the concept of strengthening "Taiwan consciousness" which is acceptable to most people, with the DPP's stance of promoting "Taiwan independence" to mislead the public.

    In fact, the mainland and Taiwan people are compatriots with natural fond feelings for each other. Links across the Taiwan Straits were normal during the Japanese occupation until the 1940s,when a civil war separated the two sides.

    In spite of all the tricks of the DPP, "Taiwan independence" has never been the mainstream thought in Taiwan, as is indicated by the legislative seats.

    Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan and People First Party (PFP)Chairman James CY Soong defied the absurd allegations of "selling out Taiwan" and made the trips to the mainland. The visits rekindled Taiwan people's hope and unleashed their pent-up feelings for the mainland, where their ancestors are from.

    The "mainland fever" didn't take place accidentally. It reflects human beings' natural attachment to kin, which surfaced after Lien and Soong lifted the lid mounted by the "green terror".

    All mainland people have profound affection for Taiwan and Taiwan people, sincerely regarding Taiwan people as their compatriots and showing every concern to people from the island. The KMT and PFP delegations have felt that deeply. It is also palpable in the myriad messages posted by mainland netizens on the Internet.

    As the mainland takes vigorous moves to strengthen bonds across the 150-km-wide Taiwan Straits, responsible politicians in Taiwan should ponder their roles. Good politicians work for the good of the general public, not a single party.

    The mainland has shown its sincerity and generosity in improving cross-Straits relations. It has offered wider access to farm produce from Taiwan, which faces sales difficulty, shown flexibility in promoting cross-Straits "three direct links" and offered many other benefits to Taiwan people.

    It is clear that both sides of the Taiwan Straits will benefit from reunification and cooperation. Both sides will suffer from separation. Taiwan has nothing to lose but everything to gain as part of China, which enjoys increasingly high status and prestige in the world.

    Wang Daohan, president of the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), said in his talks with James CY Soong that despite the political differences betweenthe two sides of the Straits, "we're all Chinese linked by the same blood and cultural background".

    "There is no enmity (between Chinese across the Straits) that cannot be dissolved, nor prejudice that cannot be thrown away," hesaid.

    During the PFP's nine-day mainland visit, People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong said on many occasions that "descendantsof Cathay (old name of China) should never forget their roots" andthat "brothers on both sides of the Taiwan Straits are of one family".

    The mainland visits are also overwhelmingly acclaimed in the world, a strong indication the world understands, appreciates and supports moves to enhance goodwill and affinity between kinsfolk.

    No matter how the "Taiwan independence" platform is formed, it is wrong and should change for the benefit of people on both sidesof the Taiwan Straits.

    The recent talks between top leaders of the CPC, KMT and PFP have greatly raised people's hope for the improvement of cross-Straits relations. Now people on both sides of the Straits are looking anxiously at what the other politicians in Taiwan will do.Enditem