Date: November 15, 2017
MAC Press Release No. 80
Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chang Hsiao-yueh on November 15, 2017, attended the "International Conference on The CCP 19th Congress: Prospects on Power Structure and Policies" held by the Chinese Council of Advanced Policy Studies as commissioned by the MAC. In her opening remarks on "Building Shared Values and Benefits to Usher in a New Cross-Strait Era," Minister Chang emphasized that "To improve is to change." She called on both sides, in the face of new developments, to commit to maintaining peaceful and stable relations across the Taiwan Strait and jointly seek a new model for cross-Strait interaction. She hoped that mainland China would seize the opportunity to show "new ideas and new initiatives" and promote cross-Strait dialogue and communication.
During the conference, Minister Chang said that the CCP 19th National Congress conveyed the Mainland's sense of confidence in its development path and systems. She hoped that mainland China would become more prosperous, stable, wealthy, civilized, democratic, and open through institutional reforms, as well as become a responsible member of the international community to maintain global and regional peace and stability. She believed that this would contribute to the positive development of cross-Strait relations. She also said that Taiwan would like to share its development experience with mainland China without stint. Minister Chang emphasized that the leaders on both sides should develop cross-Strait relations, communication and dialogue based on "people" and "reform" as the greatest common factor in their governance objectives, as well as plan a new course of development for benign cross-Strait interaction. She noted that next year marks the 40th anniversary of mainland China's reform and opening up and expressed hope that, at the beginning of this new era, Beijing can develop new ways of thinking in cross-Strait relations with the same courage of reform and opening up. This would enable the two sides to build a solid bridge of goodwill and mutual trust to advance in the same direction and jointly benefit the people on both sides.
Minister Chang said that the two sides need to jointly face and answer the question of how their relationship should develop in the future. She called on mainland China to face up to the reality of the existence of the Republic of China, pragmatically regard the cross-Strait status quo, and respect and understand the views of the Taiwanese people on promoting the development of cross-Strait relations and adherence to democracy. She also called on the Mainland to embrace forward-looking thinking and seek common benefits and cooperation. This is the only way to create win-win cross-Strait relations. It would also serve as the best example of shelving disputes and peaceful co-existence in the changing Asia-Pacific region.
The MAC indicated that more than 150 scholars, experts, and other participants from the United States, Japan, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are attending the conference. During the one day and a half event, concluding on November 16, they will look at political development, power structure, economic and trade, diplomatic strategy, and military in mainland China as well as cross-Strait relations. The MAC hopes that the in-depth discussions on the overall situation in mainland China will help to objectively analyze factors potentially affecting the development of cross-Strait relations.