The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated today (17th) that the Republic of China is a sovereign and independent country, and it has the right to actively participate in the international community, and promote domestic reforms, to further consolidate its democracy and reinforce its identity. We cannot accept any action or statement that violates this fact, that imposes its unilateral position on our side, and that creates obstacles that hamper the normal development of cross-Strait relations.
The MAC stated that the development of the cross-Strait trend has always been an issue of concern for the international community, but it should not be the unilateral responsibility of one side to preserve the current situation of cross-Strait peace and stability and to minimize cross-Strait tension. Both sides should jointly bring about such an ideal by maintaining an active and cooperative stance through dialogues and communications.
The MAC also pointed out that the arrangements of the cross-Strait lunar new year chartered flights were based on the humanitarian consideration to provide convenience to Taiwanese businessmen in China for their trip home during the Lunar New Year holidays. In the arrangements for the first lunar new year chartered flights two years ago, China did not propose any political preconditions. We hope that the lunar new year chartered flights this time will also be as simple as based on such a similar basis. At present there are still two months to go before the Lunar New Year holidays; we hope both sides to resume negotiations as soon as possible to make the necessary arrangements. If China has other opinions, we will be willing to exchange views through dialogues and communications.