He acknowledged the complex historical, political and security disputes between Taiwan and mainland China, but said these challenges made it even more important to find a pragmatic path that could reduce the risk of conflict.
“Peace is not just a slogan. Peace requires preparation and effort,” Lee said. “It also requires everyone to be willing to sit down, communicate and clearly explain and understand each other’s views.”
During the visit, the delegation will tour major economic development projects, historical venues, technology companies and youth entrepreneurship hubs.
Members will also visit Shanghai Jiao Tong University to hold discussions with mainland Chinese students, which Lee described as the most important part of the trip.
“The future of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait belongs not only to today’s politicians, but also to the next generation of young people,” he said.
“Only by allowing young people to get to know, question and understand each other can peace cease to be merely a political slogan.”
The Shanghai visit was “not an end, but a beginning”, Lee said, adding that it did not aim to avoid cross-Strait differences but to create space for understanding and peace despite them.
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