As "president" Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan and his Democratic Progressive Party embroil the island more deeply in debilitating political infighting and try desperately to suffocate exchanges with the mainland, the opposition Kuomintang and People First parties show our compatriots on the island that the mainland is a land of hope and opportunities.
The ongoing forum on cross-Straits agricultural co-operation is further proof that the channels of collaboration these parties have opened up in concert with the Communist Party of China (CPC) on the mainland are feasible and working well.
It is a well-crafted follow-up to the April forum on trade and economic co-operation in Beijing, where the CPC authorities announced 15 policies specially tailored to boost exchanges across the Straits, of which seven dealt with agriculture.
From then on, "green channels" were opened for farm produce from Taiwan; emergency purchasing mechanisms were masterminded to ease Taiwanese farmers' worries about unexpected seasonal overstocks; and most impressive of all, some places, mostly in coastal areas, have set up special zones to accommodate Taiwanese farmers who want to try their luck on the mainland.
Subsequent changes are most apparent in the increased varieties of fruit in supermarkets in mainland cities. Previously unheard-of varieties are now available, and the price tags appear a lot friendlier.
Many mainlanders' memories of Lien Chan, former chairman of the Kuomintang in Taiwan, and his son may include their faithful salesmanship in promoting Taiwan's fruit.
While opening the doors for dialogue between the KMT and CPC, Lien and his comrades also opened a window of hope for the island's struggling farming industry.
In contrast, Chen has called on Taiwanese farmers to shun the mainland and opt for overseas markets. But fatter returns are more promising here, as nowhere else can they expect the kind of hospitality and preferential treatments available here.
The CPC's recent policies on cross-Straits exchanges are clearly oriented at mutually beneficial partnership. That is the most effective antidote to Chen's wicked mainland-bashing.
Cross-Straits collaboration in agriculture has the potential to cultivate a win-win outcome.
The current forum, with a focus on a win-win solution for agriculture on both sides of the Straits, is a practical new move to make good on its words.
It is a fine way to make sure the mainland's goodwill is felt.
The CPC says it "places hopes on the people of Taiwan" and promises to deliver genuine benefits to them.
While the mainland can be a greater base for self-empowerment and an ideal market for Taiwan's agriculture, it can benefit enormously from the technologies and management expertise accumulated over the decades on the other side of the Straits.
