Date: January 30, 2017
MAC Press Release No. 009
Following the media selection of the top-ten cross-Strait news stories over the past year, several of which pertained to incidents involving cross-Strait interaction and exchanges, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said over the past period, it has always appropriately and carefully handled issues related to cross-Strait exchanges. Facing the new year and newly changed circumstances, the MAC will continue to maintain peaceful and stable development across the Taiwan Strait and endeavor to resolve differences through dialogue.
The top-ten cross-Strait news stories of last year selected by the cross-Strait media included President Tsai Ing-wen's inaugural address and Beijing's reaction, comments by the mainland Chinese leader on Taiwan, the deportation to mainland China of Taiwanese suspects of telecommunications fraud, and the falling number of Mainland tourist visits to Taiwan. The MAC indicated that during each of these developments in cross-Strait relations and major emergency events since May 20 last year, the government has proactively explained to the public, communicated with the Mainland, and convened inter-ministerial meetings to deliberate proper handling to control and reduce potential risks. The MAC also called on the other side to promptly resume communication and dialogue and to duly handle cross-Strait affairs to ensure the interests and welfare of the people on both sides.
The MAC emphasized that, even though objective and subjective circumstances on both sides have changed over the past year, this offers an opportunity to review and reflect on problems in past cross-Strait interactions and exchanges. It believes that, by setting out again at a readjusted pace, the two sides can build a solid foundation for truly long-lasting cross-Strait relations. Looking ahead to the new year, the MAC hopes that the two sides will take action, seize opportunities, and work to build a new model for benign cross-Strait interaction to create a new era of friendly interaction and positive momentum.