Date: October 14, 2016
MAC Press Release No. 73
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) opened the fourth session of the 2016 Cross-Strait Relations Young Student Camp today (October 14, 2016) at National Taiwan University. In her opening ceremony speech, MAC Minister Chang explained that the core meaning of the government's cross-Strait policy is to strive to maintain the peaceful and stable status of cross-Strait relations, as well as to 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. She also said that the two sides have different views and positions on some issues and that these need to be resolved through communication, dialogue, consultation, and negotiation.
Minister Chang also encouraged interaction and exchanges among young people on both sides of the Strait to enhance mutual understanding and expand horizons through mutual learning. She also expressed hope that young people would engage in exchanges and interaction consistent with the current relevant policies, laws and regulations, and by such means introduce young people on the other side to Taiwan's democracy, freedom, rich cultural cultivation, and soft power and play an active role in promoting the peaceful and stable development of cross-Strait relations. Minister Chang also quoted the well-known saying of Apple founder Steve Jobs in a Stanford University speech to "stay hungry, stay foolish." She encouraged everyone to embrace this mentality in understanding cross-Strait relations and advancing their studies, saying this will lead to a bright future.
The MAC has held the Cross-Strait Relations Young Student Camp since 2010 in partnership with various universities and private organizations to promote awareness and understanding among young students in Taiwan of the development of cross-Strait relations and the government's cross-Strait policy. Over the years, more than 2,000 students have attended the 36 camp sessions. Participating students have found that the camp learning activities have helped them to deeply understand the government's cross-Strait policy and share experience in cross-Strait exchanges.
This year's camp activities were arranged by the China Cross-Strait Institution Association (CCIA) and joined by members of 70 school clubs. Seminars with interactive discussion sessions were held to help young students better understand the government's cross-Strait policy. MAC Deputy Minister Chiu Chui-cheng led a seminar on "The Government's Cross-Strait Policy" and engaged in face-to-face discussions with students on the status of developments in cross-Strait relations.