At a time when US President Barack Obama is eager to show that he is not a lame duck, the tacit consent given to TECRO's raising of the flag can only be counterproductive. A president of honor would not permit his country's commitment to the three communiqués establishing the One-China Principle be undermined in this way.

This logic applies to Taiwan as well. With the election last year, it is possible to understand the current grim check-and-balance situation in Taiwan's local politics, but to resort to such antics does not help promote the legitimacy of the outgoing government or leave an historical legacy. Indeed, the real legacy is the improvement in cross-Straits relations that have been made.

China has pursued a peaceful approach to Sino-US relations and cross-Straits relations, but with an unshakeable commitment to One-China Principle. The Chinese leadership has been promoting the new type of major-country relations with the US, stressing trust and equality. It will take time to build such a partnership given the mistrust that exists, and it is unhelpful to allow any provocation by others sabotage this process. After all, the rise of China is unstoppable. TECRO's trick of "raising the flag" will not deter the historical inevitability of China's national integration.

The author is professor and associate dean of Institute of International Studies, Fudan University.

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