China to maintain carrot, stick approach to Taiwan: minister

ROC Central News Agency

2017/10/25 15:38:25

Taipei, Oct. 25 (CNA) China is maintaining its carrot and stick approach to Taiwan following the conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chang Hsiao-yueh (張小月) said Wednesday, urging China to adopt a new way of approaching cross-Taiwan Strait exchanges.

Chang presented the Legislative Yuan with the MAC's updates on China's policies on Taiwan following the CPC's 19th National Congress, predicting that the Chinese government will maintain officially an icy attitude toward the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), while offering incentives to the Taiwanese public to enjoy exchanges with the Chinese people and to visit China.

On maintaining the status quo, the minister also forecast that an upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) will result in no unexpected announcements regarding cross-strait relations.

Chang revealed that U.S. State Department officials have informed Taiwan's representative office in the U.S. that there will be no signing of a rumored fourth communique between the U.S. and China.

As Xi charges forward with his "Thoughts on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era," an ideology intended to increase and solidify China's leadership role in global politics and business, Chang urged the two sides of the strait to come up with a new model for co-existence and collaboration.

She called for an amicable relationship that respects Taiwan's right to participate in international organizations.

With the upcoming Trump-Xi meeting set to take place in November in China, Chang said that the MAC will continue to monitor related developments and will remain in close contact with the U.S.

(By Miao Zong-han and Kuan-lin Liu)
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