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'92 consensus is basis for cross-strait negotiations: government

ROC Central News Agency

2010/08/12 22:05:03

Taipei, Aug. 12 (CNA) Under the framework of the Republic of China Constitution, the government will firmly stick to the "1992 consensus" to deal with China and maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, Executive Yuan spokesman Johnny Chiang said Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after a regular weekly Executive Yuan meeting, Chiang said the consensus serves as the foundation for institutionalized cross-strait negotiations on the principle of "no unification, no independence and no use of force."

"For Taiwan, the `92 consensus' refers to `one China, respective interpretations' with `one China' meaning the Republic of China, " Chiang explained.

Thanks to the foundation, the Taipei-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and the Beijing-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) have been able to conclude 14 mutually beneficial agreements since June 2008, he said.

Visiting ARATS Vice President Li Yafei said a day earlier in Taipei that based on the mutual trust built upon the `92 consensus and the anti-Taiwan independence stance, Taiwan and China should cooperate to mend their differences and forge common ground.

Speaking at a cross-strait seminar on peace and the creation of wealth that opened Wednesday in Taipei, SEF Chairman Chiang Ping-kun said that although Taiwan and China clinched a landmark economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) in late June, ensuing two-way negotiations on merchandise and service trade, investment guarantees and a trade arbitration mechanism will be more difficult.

"Fierce bargaining will be unavoidable and both sides should put aside their disputes based on a common viewpoint," Chiang said.

As follow-up negotiations will substantially affect the interests of companies on both sides, the government will need to consult with the business community to explore their needs, according to Chiang. (By M.C. Lee and Flor Wang) ENDITEM/J