August 16, 2015
No. 44
Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Andrew Hsia today (August 15, 2015, US Eastern Standard Time) attended the 40th annual convention of the Chinese American Academic and Professional Society to explain the ROC governement’s Mainland policy and recent cross-strait developments. Minister Hsia emphasized that the core of the ROC's Mainland policy is centered on "cross-strait rapprochement," which acts as the prioritized leg of the "Three Legs of National Security." This policy aims to ensure peace in the Taiwan Strait, and to protect national dignity and security. It is also crucial to Taiwan’s expansion of international participation, and is a major contribution of the government to the international community.
Minister Hsia said that, after a period of ups and downs in cross-strait relations, the "1992 Consensus” of “One China, with respective interpretations" has been the key password enabling major breakthroughs in cross-strait relations over the past seven years. The "1992 Consensus" has created a foundation acceptable to both sides on the most sensitive issue of "one China." It also facilitated the 1993 Singapore "Koo-Wang Talks," opening a new era for cross-strait negotiations. Minister Hsia further indicated that the "1992 Consensus" supported by the majority of the Taiwanese people, at its core is the insistence to uphold ROC sovereignty, it acts as an important basis for institutionalized cross-strait negotiations, interactions, and exchanges, and is also the key to cross-strait peace and prosperity. The "1992 Consensus" has had the effect of moving cross-strait ties toward positive interaction and peaceful and stable development, and benefits of improved cross-strait relations have also spilled over to form a virtuous cycle between cross-strait and foreign relations.
In his speech, Minister Hsia also analyzed the challenges facing cross-strait developments. He emphasized that the Mainland must face cross-strait reality and fully acknowledge and respect public opinions in Taiwan in order to reduce the psychological distance between the people of the two sides and enable steady advancement in cross-strait relations. Minister Hsia indicated that the discourses concerning cross-strait relations by candidates for next year’s Taiwan presidential election have all moved closer to the government's Mainland policy, proving that President Ma Ying-jeou's "1992 Consensus” of “One China, with respective interpretations" is not only "feasible, but well done." Looking to the future, the government will follow mainstream public opinion in Taiwan, firmly maintain the cross-strait status quo of "no unification, no independence, and no use of force" under the ROC Constitution framework, and, on the foundation of the "1992 Consensus” of “One China, with respective interpretations," continue to promote cross-strait official interactions and institutionalized consultations and exchanges to steady cross-strait peace and prosperity.
More than 300 eminent overseas Chinese scholars on the US East Coast attended the activity. ROC representative to the United States Ambassador Shen Lyu-shun also attended. During the convention, Minister Hsia especially thanked the overseas Chinese participants and expressed hope that they would continue to support the government's Mainland policy. The exchanges were friendly and enthusiastic.