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KMT laments Tsai's failure to recognize '92 consensus'

ROC Central News Agency

2016/05/20 21:12:36

Taipei, May 20 (CNA) The Kuomintang (KMT) on Friday congratulated Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on becoming president of the Republic of China (Taiwan) but lamented her failure to recognize the "1992 consensus" as the political basis for the future development of ties with China.

"President Tsai mentioned the historical fact that the two sides met in 1992 and sought common ground while setting aside differences, and have reached outcomes worth cherishing over the past 20 years," the KMT said in a statement.

"But she ultimately failed to recognize the 1992 consensus as the political foundation for the future development of cross-strait ties."

The consensus, reached by Taiwan and China in 1992, is a tacit agreement that there is only one China across the strait, with Taiwan and China free to interpret what that means.

It underpinned the cross-strait policy of Tsai's predecessor, Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) of the KMT, during his eight years in office, and Ma has expressed the hope that Tsai's new administration will follow it.

But Tsai and her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have never accepted the existence of the consistence.

Tsai, who was sworn in as Taiwan's president Friday morning to succeed Ma, said in her much anticipated inaugural speech that "in 1992, the two institutions representing each side across the strait, through communication and negotiations, arrived at various joint acknowledgments and understandings."

"It was done in a spirit of mutual understanding and a political attitude of seeking common ground while setting aside differences. I respect this historical fact," she said.

Legislative caucus whips of the KMT also criticized Tsai for what they called a lack of "bright spots" in her inaugural address at a news conference held at the Legislative Yuan, reminding her "We'll be watching you."

"Without bright spots, how can you light up Taiwan," said KMT lawmaker Wang Yu-min (王育敏), referring to a common slogan used by the incoming administration.

Tsai's framework for cross-strait relations did not transcend the "one China, respective interpretations" concept of the "1992 consensus," Wang said, and her foreign policy direction followed that of the Ma administration.

Wang said she hoped the new government could bring progress to Taiwan based on the foundation established by Ma over the past eight years.

"Taiwan cannot afford to stand still and not move forward in the coming years," she said.

Meanwhile, Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) said that while the ruling DPP has painted a rosy picture for Taiwan's future, opposition parties must strictly scrutinize its deeds.

"We hope that President Tsai will lead Taiwan to a brighter future," he said.

(By C.C. Wang and Flor Wang)
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