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MAC urges Beijing to face up to reality for two sides of Taiwan Strait

ROC Central News Agency

03/05/2023 08:29 PM

Taipei, March 5 (CNA) Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) called on Beijing on Sunday to face up to the reality that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait do not belong to each other, in response to China's reaffirmation of its commitment to the "one China principle" and the "1992 consensus" in its relations with Taiwan.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (李克強) said in his government work report at the opening of the annual National People's Congress on Sunday that Beijing stands by the "one China" principle, which states that Taiwan is part of China, and the "1992 consensus."

The "1992 consensus," as Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT), which is currently the main opposition party, defines it, refers to a tacit understanding reached in 1992 between the then KMT administration and Beijing that both sides of the strait acknowledge that there is only "one China," which both mainland China and Taiwan are part of, with each side free to interpret what that "one China" means.

Li also spelled out Beijing's opposition to Taiwan independence and its aim to promote the peaceful development of relations with Taiwan and advance the process of China's "peaceful reunification."

He said in the work report that China should advance economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation across the strait and improve the systems and policies that contribute to the wellbeing of Taiwan compatriots.

In response, in a statement issued later that day, the MAC, which is responsible for cross-strait policies, called on Beijing to face up to the reality that the two sides of the strait are not subordinate to each other.

The MAC also asked China to respect Taiwanese people's core concepts of firmly safeguarding the sovereignty, democracy, and freedom of the Republic of China (Taiwan's official name).

The MAC said China should deal with cross-strait affairs pragmatically in a rational, equal, and mutually respectful manner, in order to create conditions for positive interactions between the two sides.

Commenting on Li's report, Chao Chun-shan (趙春山), an honorary professor of China studies at Tamkang University, said that in the face of external and internal risks, China is expected to prioritize its relationship with the United States, dealing with the effects of a technology competition involving advanced chips with the U.S., and achieving a resilient economic recovery from COVID-19.

In comparison, the cross-strait relationship is a secondary issue for China, Chao indicated.

Chao said he expected that Beijing would seek stability across the Taiwan Strait given that Li's work report comments on Taiwan was a rehash of statements already made previously and presented no new initiatives.

The only new thing was perhaps the proposal of advancing economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Taiwan, Chao added.

(By Lee Ya-wen and Evelyn Kao)

Enditem/HY