Date: September 14, 2016
MAC Press Release No. 64
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated today (September 14, 2016) that it has entrusted the Institute of International Relations at National Chengchi University and the U.S.-based Brookings Institution to jointly hold an international symposium on "Cross-Strait Relations under the Tsai Ing-Wen Administration" on September 15 (US Eastern Standard Time) in Washington, D.C. MAC Deputy Minister Lin Cheng-yi will attend the opening ceremony and present a keynote address.
The MAC indicated that prominent scholars and experts will attend the one-day symposium to present papers and exchange views on cross-Strait relations, conditions in mainland China, Taiwan-"China"-US relations, and other subjects. Scholars participating from Taiwan include Director of the Institute of International Relations at National Chengchi University Arthur Shuh-Fan Ding, Professor Yan Jiann-fa of the Department of Business Administration at Chien Hsin University of Science and Technology, President of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy Hsu Szu-chien, Professor Chou Chih-chieh of the Graduate Institute of Political Economy at National Cheng Kung University, Professor Lin Wen-cheng of the Institute of China and Asia-Pacific Studies at National Sun Yat-sen University, and Professor Tsai Ming-yen of the Graduate Institute of International Politics at National Chung Hsing University. Participating US scholars include Director of the East Asia Centre for Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution Richard Bush, Johns Hopkins University Professor David Brown, Senior Advisor in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies Christopher K. Johnson, Deputy Director Scott Kennedy, Senior Adviser for Asia Bonnie Glaser, and Senior Vice President for Asia and Japan Chair Michael J. Green. The symposium will also be joined by academic scholars from Bucknell University, University of Chicago, University of Denver and other universities.
The MAC stated that, since May 20, the government has strived to maintain the status quo of cross-Strait peace and stability and existing cross-Strait mechanisms based on respect for historical facts and the existing political foundation. The government will conduct cross-Strait affairs in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of China, the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, and other relevant legislation. It has shown the fullest flexibility and good faith and earned affirmation from the international community and the majority of domestic public opinion.
The MAC also indicated the symposium has been jointly held by think tanks in Taiwan and the U.S. for seven years. Through academic exchange and discussion of important cross-Strait issues, the international symposium in Washington D.C. is conducive to enhancing attention to and exchange of views on cross-Strait relations among all sides. Future government policy will administrate with the mainstream public opinion and public well-being in mind. It will continue to open a wide door for communication and dialogue and, through multi-track exchanges and cooperation, build benign, harmonious, and mutually trusting cross-Strait relations.