One of President Hu Jintao's greatest achievements during his
decade in power has been the creation of a much stronger cross-
strait relationship, one that is likely to last even after he
gives up his last official post in March. True, it was during
his tenure that the Anti-Secession Law, which authorises Beijing
to make use of "non-peaceful means" should Taiwan secede from
China, was enacted. But he also pledged that China would "never
give up efforts to seek peaceful reunification". Ironically,
that law was followed by a major thaw in cross-strait relations,
with leading opposition figures being invited to the mainland
for high-level talks. Attempts by Hu to move cross-strait
relations onto a peaceful track were not without opposition on
the mainland. One such sign was in a major address he gave in
2008 to mark the 30th anniversary of the "Message to Taiwan
Compatriots" issued in 1979. That address, while underlining
"firm adherence to the 'one China' policy", was silent on the
"1992 consensus" - a term that