Date: February 22, 2017
MAC Press Release No. 15
In regards to further comments by a spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office that Taiwan has never been a country, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) today (February 22, 2017) solemnly said that the Republic of China indubitably is a sovereign state. This is an objective fact in international law and politics, one that mainland China must pragmatically face. Taiwan is among the best of Asian countries in national competitiveness, it fulfills its responsibilities as a member of the global village, and its freedom, democracy, human rights, rule of law, economic development, and other soft power have been highly affirmed by the international community. Mainland China's one-sided argument is fundamentally unable to and cannot change this objective fact.
The MAC stressed that both sides have the responsibility and duty to work to advance benign interactions in cross-Strait relations and peaceful and stable development across the Taiwan Strait. It believes that mainland China needs to approach the development of cross-Strait relations with forward-looking and innovative thinking and avoid adopting negative interpretations and actions. This would truly help to establish positive cross-Strait relations. Moreover, dialogue and consultation is the only way to resolve differences and genuinely care for the rights and interests of the people on both sides.