The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) indicated that cross-strait exchanges, interactions, and negotiations should be jointly promoted based on the principles of mutual respect, parity and dignity. In order to avoid imposing artificial barriers, predetermined political propositions should not be made. Since the Chinese government has continued to insist on the so-called “1992 Consensus” and “one China” principle as preconditions for cross-strait negotiations, it is obvious that the Beijing authorities are insincere in improving cross-strait relations.
The MAC emphasized that China’s Taiwan Affairs Office still demands Taiwan to “recognize and abide by the so-called ‘1992 Consensus’ and the ‘one China’ principle.” China is only willing to resume negotiations and dialogues with relevant agencies in Taiwan under these premises. This shows that the Chinese government’s recent extensions of “goodwill”, which include the resumption of cross-strait talks, establishment of military confidence building measures, and Taiwan’s entry into the WHA, could only be achieved under the “one China” principle. This again proves that the Chinese government lacks the sincerity to negotiate with Taiwan.
The MAC reiterated that the government has consistently asserted that all cross-strait exchange issues involving the exercise of government authority require overall planning, reviews, and negotiations by relevant government agencies prior to their implementation. This is to safeguard the long-term and overall interests of the Taiwanese people. The MAC also urged the Chinese government to eliminate barriers imposed by political preconditions and use the results of the 1992 meeting in Hong Kong as the basis to resume negotiations, to engage in dialogues through normal channels and jointly resolve cross-strait issues.