WASHINGTON — So far, events have proven the optimists to be correct. The dialogue between Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and China's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) has resumed. As the basis, the Taiwan side only pledged adherence to the "1992 consensus," and Beijing did not object to Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou's formulation of this phrase, even though the resulting association with "one China" is vague. SEF Chairman Chiang Pin-kung held meetings in Beijing on June 12 and 13 with his counterpart Chen Yunlin, chairman of ARATS. The two signed agreements concerning weekend charter flights and mainland tourists.

The two sides are off to a good start, but it is only a start. At this early stage, the two sides should be pleased with their initial achievements, but they should remember that they have embarked on a long and complicated process of re-engagement. Expectations are high and pitfalls exist.

By its nature, this re-engagement process must be gradual and interactive. Over the last 15 years, mutual trust and shared understanding between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have declined. China built up its military to deter what it believed were Taiwan's separatist schemes. Taiwan leaders intensified claims of sovereignty as a defense against, as they saw it, looming domination by Beijing. Each side's moves intensified the other's defense mechanisms.