China's intimidating moves not conducive to cross-strait ties: Taiwan

ROC Central News Agency

2017/02/08 18:52:37

Taipei, Feb. 8 (CNA) Taiwan said on Wednesday it remains committed to maintaining the peaceful status-quo in the Taiwan Strait and that the adoption of non-peaceful or intimidating measures by China is not conducive to the development of bilateral relations.

The Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) made the remarks when asked about a report in the Japanese Yomiuri Shimbun filed from Beijing on Tuesday that suggested China is considering amendments to its "Anti-Secession Law" or drafting a new law to further clarify the conditions for use of force against Taiwan.

The MAC declined to comment on the report, but added that it would continue to closely follow Beijing's Taiwan policy and take any appropriate measures.

The Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) administration remains firm in its determination to safeguard Taiwan's democracy and maintain the peaceful status quo in cross-strait relations, it stressed.

The adoption of any non-peaceful or intimidating measures would not be conducive to the development of relations between Taiwan and China, the MAC said.

It is the responsibility of both sides to promote the peaceful, stable development of cross-strait ties and protect the welfare of people in Taiwan and China, the MAC said, adding that differences should be resolved through dialogue.

In Beijing, An Fengshan (安峰山), spokesman of the Taiwan Affairs Office under China's State Council, said at a news briefing on Wednesday that China will adhere to legal means as it seeks to "safeguard the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Cross-strait relations have cooled since Tsai took office in May 2016, mainly due to her refusal to heed Beijing's calls to recognize the "1992 consensus" as the sole political foundation for cross-strait exchanges.

The "1992 consensus" refers to a tacit understanding reached in 1992 between China and Taiwan, which was then under a Kuomintang government, that there is only one China, with both sides free to interpret what that means.

(By Miu Chun-han and Elaine Hou)
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