Date: January 15, 2020
MAC Press Release No. 4
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) today (January 15, 2020) made a statement regarding the Taiwan Affairs Office’s further negative interpretation and irresponsible criticism about Taiwan elections and President Tsai’s speech. The MAC said that the government has been consistent in its position on maintaining the status quo of cross-Strait peace and stability. The results of Taiwan's elections send a firm and clear signal on future developments in the Taiwan Strait and show the collective will of the Taiwan people in resolutely opposing the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) "one country, two systems." The Beijing authorities must understand, respect, and courageously face reality. They should also come to terms with the fact that their “wishful thinking” and oppression cannot change this reality.
The MAC emphasized that Beijing should rationally ponder on "peace, parity, democracy, and dialogue," the key foundation for cross-Strait interactions proposed by President Tsai, which is the only thing that will work in favor of the development and people’s well-being. Cross-Strait relations are not the responsibility of either side alone; instead, the other side should promptly adjust its unilateral policy thinking; stop its manipulation, intimidation, and pressuring; and return to the right path of positive cross-Strait interaction. The MAC also calls on the CCP to first face up to the fact that the Republic of China (ROC) is a sovereign state, and that Taiwan has never been part of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The CCP must acknowledge that only the 23 million Taiwanese people can rightly decide Taiwan’s future. Intimidation and bribery will never shake Taiwan's conviction to safeguard its national sovereignty, democracy, and freedom.