August 4, 2016
MAC Press release No. 51
President Tsai Ing-wen appealed in her May 20, 2016, inaugural address for the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to set aside the baggage of history for the benefit of the people on both sides and to develop positive cross-Strait interaction. In line with the president's policy directives on cross-Strait relations, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has played a leading role in cross-Strait exchanges and interactions between both sides at all levels. The MAC believes that differences in social systems exist in cross-Strait relations and these could be resolved through communication, consultation, increased exchanges and improved understanding. The MAC welcomes the peaceful and stable development of cross-Strait relations. It hopes that the two sides can trust and support each other to jointly usher in a new era in cross-Strait relations.
Based on setting aside differences to seek common ground and showing mutual respect, the two sides should discuss and consider a new direction and new approaches on which both sides can agree.
The MAC has fully exchanged views with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) on Taiwan's participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly. The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) under the MOTC has submitted an application to the ICAO Assembly president and issued a press release on this matter.
The CAA applied to participate in this year's ICAO Assembly as the authority in charge of international aviation safety and safety of cross-Strait travel. The administration submitted the application under “a proper name” and is willing to follow the relevant rules for participation in ICAO meetings. The government will seek support from the ICAO members and believes that this issue could be resolved through cross-Strait negotiations and hopes that mainland China could show goodwill to the people of Taiwan.
The MAC will work closely with the CAA and provide necessary assistance with cross-Strait interactions. It hopes that Taiwan could continue to participate in this year's ICAO Assembly based on mutual goodwill from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.