Date: June 13, 2017
MAC Press Release No. 43
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) issued the following solemn statement on June 13 regarding Panama's severance of diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (ROC) and establishment of diplomatic ties with Beijing due to manipulation by mainland China:
1. The R.O.C. government severely condemns, solemnly protests, and expresses deep dissatisfaction over mainland China's inducement of R.O.C. diplomatic ally Panama to break off diplomatic relations with the ROC through the increasing international manipulation of its so-called "one China" principle. Beijing has violated its pledge of peaceful development, obstinately insisted on following its own course, and adopted erroneous and rigid thinking and approaches. This has repeatedly hurt the feelings of the people of Taiwan and provoked antagonism between the two sides. We will never accept this. We also warn the Mainland authorities that they must bear full responsibility for undermining the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
2. For over a year, the R.O.C. government has actively shown restraint and goodwill and worked to maintain the peaceful and stable development of cross-Strait relations. We oppose mainland China's mistaken approach of containing Taiwan's international space and forcing Taiwan into accepting its political views. The Mainland must clearly recognize the facts across the Taiwan Strait and seriously face up to the possible consequences of their unilateral actions. The determination of the R.O.C. government to firmly defend national sovereignty, dignity and the interests and well-being of the people and to maintain the regional peace and stability will not change. We appeal across party lines and to the people of Taiwan to unite in the face this diplomatic impasse, to show Taiwan's indomitable spirit, and to continue to strive for Taiwan's democratic values and international space. This is the only way to confront Beijing's power threat.