The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) indicated today (March 13, 2005) that despite receiving heavy skepticism and strong opposition from both the international community and the Taiwanese people, China viciously enacted the non-peaceful “anti-separation law”(so-called “anti-secession law”). China’s unilateral action has sabotaged cross-strait peace and stability. Since last year, the Chinese government has used the re-issuance of identification cards for journalists as an excuse to impose stricter control over journalists and tighter censorship of campus Internet. China should be criticized for its actions of sabotaging freedom of the press and speech. The MAC stressed that the Chinese government should consider the fundamental system reforms and truly recognizes Taiwan’s national identity. It should not unilaterally impose artificial barriers to cross-strait interactions.
In response to today’s announcement by the Taiwan Affairs Office in China, the MAC indicated that the Taiwanese government has a clear policy on establishing peaceful and stable cross-strait relations and interactions. However, China has made relentless efforts in its military suppression of Taiwan over the years, and it has recently passed the “anti-separation law.” Taiwan has no part in these actions which have created tension and instability in the Taiwan Strait. The MAC stated that the Chinese government has recognized that the issues on cross-strait interactions require the involvement of the authority and require negotiating with the Taiwanese government. However, China has intentionally refused to interact with the Taiwanese government. Politically, China’s frequent use of the “divide-and-conquer” tactics as well as the “united front” tactics to divide Taiwan internally is very obvious. The MAC indicated that if the Chinese government is sincere and wise, it should conduct substantial negotiations with the Taiwanese government on relevant issues.
The MAC emphasized that the Chinese government has on the one hand, allocated a huge budget for military deployment against Taiwan, and on the other hand, lured relevant Taiwanese organizations to export highly competitive industries and technologies into China. The Chinese government has attempted to use the “united front” tactics in manipulating cross-strait exchanges and excuse itself from public condemnations of its passage of the “anti-separation law.” The MAC reiterated that after China’s passage of the “anti-separation law,” issues relating to current cross-strait exchanges should be resolved through overall planning, review and negotiation. This is to insure the long-term and overall interests of the Taiwanese people. China’s unilateral measures regarding cross-strait exchanges are politically motivated and will only add more uncertainties to the development of Taiwan’s industries and future cross-strait interactions. The MAC hopes that political parties and civilian organizations that are currently active in cross-strait exchanges will be more vigilant toward China’s hypocritical “carrot-and-stick” tactics. It also urges these groups not to fall into China’s “united front” trap and actively cooperate with the Taiwanese government to prevent China from further jeopardizing Taiwan’s overall interests and dignity.