The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated today that “peace and development” is the core of Taiwan’s policy towards mainland China, and that maintaining the peaceful and stable status quo in the Taiwan Strait is and has always been the consistent goal of the Taiwan government. Our continuous efforts are aimed at promoting exchanges across the Strait and resuming the negotiations between the two sides. However, only through the establishment of mutual respect and recognition of each other, will all our efforts result in any progress.
In response to the comments made by the mainland Chinese government today in commemoration of the tenth anniversary of Jiang Zemin’s “eight-point proposals,” the MAC declared that Beijing still formulates its Taiwan policy under the “one country, two systems” formula. There are no signs of new ideas or a different approach by the mainland Chinese authorities. The MAC stressed that China’s “one country, two systems” scheme has never gained recognition or support from Taiwan’s population. Opinion polls over the years have unequivocally shown that a large majority of the people of Taiwan are clearly rejecting any proposal that seeks to deprive Taiwan of its distinctive self-identity as a precondition for further talks. If the mainland Chinese authorities still fail to understand Taiwan’s public opinion, and insist on its outdated mindset and established policies, Beijing will be unable to respond to the changing cross-strait environment and overcome the current stalemate.
The MAC pointed out that although China is constantly trying to downplay the concern and negative responses that its proposed “Anti-separation Law” have raised in the international community, the undisputable fact remains that this legislation, if enacted, would do considerable damage to cross-strait relations. The mainland Chinese authorities wish to employ the “Anti-separation Law” as a legal rationalization for their suppression of Taiwan and even for the use of force against the island. Their actions will not only intensify cross-strait antagonism and change the status quo, but also pose a threat to stability in the entire region, which will offer no prospect for any improvement of the relations between Taiwan and China.
With regard to the criticism made by the mainland Chinese authorities on Taiwan’s constitutional reforms, the MAC responded solemnly that democracy is a universal value, and that Taiwan’s democratic reforms have received widespread recognition in the international community. China has misinterpreted Taiwan’s proposed constitutional reforms, which are truly aimed at political reform and enhancement of the nation’s competitiveness, as nothing but a tool to gain “de jure independence”. This represents a severe distortion of the island’s democratic process. China’s partial statements not only fail to convince the global community, but they also display a blatant lack of understanding of democracy.
President Chen Shui-bian, in his inauguration speech on May 20, 2004 and again in his National Day address and during a recent high-level national security meeting, has repeatedly given comprehensive accounts of Taiwan’s cross-strait policies, demonstrating the government’s active and goodwill measures for the development of cross-strait relations. The Lunar New Year charter flights for Taiwanese businessmen in China which will take place soon is proof that under the principle of “setting aside disputes and expressing mutual respect”, negotiations can take place and problems can be solved pragmatically. Both sides of the Strait should take this opportunity and use this as a starting point for further normalization of their mutual relations.