December 25, 2013
No. 093
Regarding the issue of a meeting between leaders of the two sides of the Strait, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated today (December 25, 2013) that, Minister Wang presented a report on December 25 to the Central Standing Committee of the Kuomintang (KMT) on the overall situation of cross-strait relations and replied to questions by committee members regarding the issue of a meeting between leaders of the two sides of the Strait. Minister Wang pointed out that the meeting between the leaders of the two sides could only be held when the time is appropriate, the occasion is appropriate and the capacity in which the leaders meet is appropriate. Minister Wang stated that, President Ma Ying-jeou attends all events in his capacity as President of the Republic of China; therefore, the MAC has assessed and ruled out the possibility of the President participating in the leaders’ meeting as the leader of a party, instead believes the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Meeting an appropriate occasion for the leaders of the two sides to meet. As such, the government will do its utmost to arrange for the President to attend the APEC meeting as an economic leader, in line with past practice, The MAC stated that the government would also promote, carefully assess and properly handle, any benign interactions beneficial to cross-strait relations.
In regards to media reports on MAC Minister Wang’s statement of "willing to actively promote President Ma’s visit to the Mainland and would be happy to see it realized," the MAC responded that Minister Wang did not make the aforementioned statement.