September 6, 2013
No. 68
Deputy Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chang Hsien-yao attended the 26th Annual Meeting of the Federation of Chinese Organizations of America this morning (September 5, U.S. time). During a speech to the overseas Chinese participants about the current development of cross-strait relations, Deputy Minister Chang said that the government's Mainland policy is to pragmatically position cross-strait relations under the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of China (ROC). The current stage of "mutual non-denial of authority to govern" is the most effective way to face up to the cross-strait reality, strengthen mutual trust between the two sides and stabilize peace across the Taiwan Strait.
Deputy Minister Chang said that under the framework of the ROC Constitution, cross-strait relations are currently positioned as relations between the "Taiwan area" and the "Mainland area." Moreover, the legal relationship concerning people’s exchanges between the two sides and related rights and obligations is dealt with on the basis of the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area. This constitutional framework and legal position form the main basis for the government's promotion and implementation of its Mainland policy. It does not only fully demonstrate the sovereign status of the ROC, but also, based on "the 1992 Consensus of one China with respective interpretations," provide a foundation for institutionalized cross-strait communication and dialogue. This has been the most critical factor in cross-strait peace and stability over the past five plus years. Deputy Minister Chang pointed out that, on this basis, the government would continue to promote benign interaction and in-depth exchanges with the Mainland in the future, so as to lay an important foundation for long-term peace and stability in cross-strait relations.
Speaking of the government's achievements in promoting institutionalized cross-strait negotiations, Deputy Minister Chang noted that, based on "the 1992 Consensus of one China with respective interpretations," the government has steadily promoted institutionalized cross-strait negotiations while adhering to the principle of handling "urgent issues ahead of non-urgent ones, easy issues ahead of difficult ones, and economic issues ahead of political ones," resulting in the signing of 19 agreements to date. Through the "building blocks" approach, the government seeks to achieve long-term peace across the Taiwan Strait and to safeguard the interests of the people on both sides in terms of economics, security and the order of cross-strait exchanges. This has earned the public's affirmation. In addition, Deputy Minister Chang stressed particularly to the overseas Chinese participants that the just-signed Cross-Strait Trade in Services Agreement would provide safely complementary mechanisms to help Taiwanese companies develop in the Mainland market, and also have a positive impact on Taiwan's participation in regional economic integration. Deputy Minister Chang further said that some people have recently had doubts about or misunderstanding of the Trade in Services Agreement. The government will continue its communications and explanations to help the public understand the economic benefits of Trade in Services Agreement.
In closing, Deputy Minister Chang said that the government's actions and efforts to improve cross-strait relations form a mutually virtuous circle with the expansion of Taiwan's international interactions and cooperation. Looking to the future, the government will, based on mainstream public opinion, continue proactive and steady dialogue and communication with the Mainland. The priority areas for promotion will include three focal tasks: broadening and deepening cross-strait exchanges, establishing reciprocal institutions by the Straits Exchange Foundation and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, and comprehensively reviewing and amending the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area.
The event was attended by more than 150 participants from across the United States, including overseas Chinese leaders and representatives and other persons from various fields. Deputy Minister Chang shared views with the overseas Chinese participants during the cordial exchange. Taiwan Benevolent Association of Chicago President Bonnie Chin invited Deputy Minister Chang to attend the annual convention of the Taiwan Benevolent Association of America to be held in Chicago next year. The event was successfully concluded after an hour.