November 12, 2014
MAC News Release No.100
Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Wang visited the Institute of Taiwan Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences this afternoon (November 12, 2014) for a symposium with Beijing scholars. The two sides held in-depth discussions on issues such as recent developments of the overall situtation, future cross-strait relations promotion directions, and regional economic integration. The participating scholars unanimously affirmed the fruitful results achieved through improved cross-strait relations over the past six-plus years. They believed that the two sides should further cherish these results, continue to promote positive interaction and development on the basis of the "1992 Consensus," and actively plan the future path for following cross-strait cooperation.
Minister Wang stated during the symposium, that future cross-strait interactions should seek progress amidst stability and seize opportunities; the two sides should continue to uphold the spirit of "shelving disputes and jointly creating a win-win outcome," seek consensus with sincerity and goodwill, and actively advance communication on issues such as trade in goods and reciprocal establishment of SEF–ARATS institutions to improve the well-being of the people on both sides. He also stated that, the two sides should also continue dedicating efforts to consolidate the pattern of peaceful and stable cross-strait developments while keeping in mind the mainstream public’s opinions.
In response to participating scholars’ indications for the two sides to respect the different social system and development path chosen by the other side, Minister Wang stressed that systemic and lifestyle differences, existing between the two sides due to 65 years of separate governance across the Taiwan Strait, cannot be eliminated and integrated within the short term period Thus, through deeper exchanges in areas such as the rule of law, culture, and education, the two sides may continue to enhance mutual understanding and learn from each other in order to bridge the psychological and values divide, and further lay a solid foundation for long-term peace across the Strait. The participating scholars also asked about the free trade agreement recently signed between mainland China and Korea and how Taiwan will face the challenge presented by the global trend of regional economic integration. Minister Wang said that participation in regional economic integration is a matter of survival for Taiwan. Cross-strait economic cooperation and joint cross-strait participation in regional economic integration should go hand in hand. If the Mainland might demonstrate a positive attitude, it could deepen public support in Taiwan for cross-strait economic cooperation.
Minister Wang said that the frank and pragmatic exchanges of views during the approximately two-hour-long symposium would help to enhance understanding. The symposium was presided by Director Zhou Zhihuai of the Institute of Taiwan Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Eight scholars and experts from important think tanks in Beijing joined the symposium, including Professor Huang Jiashu of the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China, Dean Wang Zhenmin of the Tsinghua University School of Law, Deputy Director Yin Cunyi of the Institute of Taiwan Studies at Tsinghua University, Dean Jia Qingguo of the School of International Studies at Peking University, Dean Li Yihu of the Taiwan Research Institute at Peking University, research fellow Hua Xiaohong of the Institute of International Economy at the University of International Business and Economics, and Professor Zhu Songling of the Institute of Taiwan Studies at Beijing Union University.