MAC Press Release No. 023
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) issued the following press release today (October 10, 2022) to highlight the key statements in President Tsai Ing-wen’s National Day address. At the moment, Taiwan is faced with the intensifying pressure, escalating coercion, and heightening risks to regional peace from the actions of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In response, President Tsai called on Taiwan to resolutely uphold our "Four Commitments" and enhance the resilience of four key areas: our economy and industry, social safety net, free and democratic government system, and national defense. She urged the other side across the Taiwan Strait to respect Taiwanese people’s commitment to our sovereignty, democracy, and freedom; she also called on the CCP to handle related issues in a rational and peaceful manner. The MAC emphasized that our government is determined to safeguard our national sovereignty and uphold the line of defense for democracy. We strongly believe that with Taiwan's democratic resilience and solid international support, we can curb the expansion of autocratic regimes and stave off the threat and challenges these regimes pose to peace and stability.
The MAC indicated that defending our national sovereignty, security, and free and democratic way of life is the broadest consensus among the Taiwanese people and our various political parties. On this point, we have no room for compromise. The Beijing authorities’ repeated attempts to erase the sovereignty of the Republic of China (Taiwan) have gravely undermined the cross-Strait status quo of peace and stability. The CCP’s adventurist actions aimed at challenging the international order have drawn opposition from the Taiwanese people; the risks and crises resulted from their actions have fueled international condemnation. Fortunately, with Taiwan’s advantages in democracy, security, and industrial development, we have progressively built the resilience that allows us to stand firm amid global headwinds and adapt to changing global trends. We will take responsibility for our own self-defense as we step up collaboration with democratic allies so that together, we can safeguard security across the Taiwan Strait and prosperity and stability in the region.
In addition, President Tsai reiterated that upholding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is the shared responsibility of the two sides; armed confrontation is not an option. Only by respecting the commitment of the Taiwanese people to our sovereignty, democracy, and freedom, can there be a foundation for resuming constructive interaction. The MAC restated that we will make various preparations ahead of the loosening of border restrictions on both sides, including an overall assessment and enhancement of security management. Upon completion of related groundwork, our government will make gradual adjustments to the entry restrictions on residents of mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao to resume healthy and orderly cross-Strait people-to-people exchanges. The MAC also called on the other side across the Taiwan Strait to ease tensions in the Taiwan Strait; adopt an attitude of rationality, equality, and mutual respect; and resolve our differences peacefully and pragmatically.