MAC: The Chinese leadership refuses to face the historical reality and democratic values
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) solemnly indicated today (March 16, 2007) that Taiwan is a democratic, independent sovereign country with a sovereignty completely independent of China. Only the 23 million Taiwanese people have the right to decide the future of Taiwan; and the Chinese authorities have no right to interfere in this decision. The MAC emphasized that the Chinese leadership today announced its position on Taiwan, once again demonstrating that Beijing still refuses to face up to the historical reality that Taiwan and China have no jurisdiction over each other and to Taiwan’s democratic values. The Chinese authorities have repeatedly and crudely attempted to constrain the Taiwanese people’s efforts to develop Taiwan-centric consciousness and ignored the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan. These actions are the biggest obstacle to the normal development of cross-strait relations.
The MAC stated that while the Chinese leadership has paid lip service to “peaceful development,” in reality it is aggressively stepping up its military deployment with a view to carrying out the “anti-separation law” (ASL). It has recklessly imposed on Taiwan a so-called “de jure Taiwan independence” framework, leading to an increasingly dangerous escalation of the political and military standoff across the Taiwan Strait. The MAC indicated that if the Chinese authorities are truly sincere about improving cross-strait relations, they should promptly abandon their ambitions and intentions to invade Taiwan by force, immediately abolish the ASL, and cease their interference in Taiwan’s internal affairs. They should also stop suppressing Taiwan’s living and participation space in the international arena. This is the only way to achieve a turning point for peace and co-prosperity in the Taiwan Strait.
The MAC reiterated that the highest objective of the Taiwanese government’s cross-strait policy has always been to pursue peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. In the future, the government will continue to formulate various plans and measures to promote cross-strait exchanges through established steps. The MAC also called on the Chinese authorities to bravely face up to the reality that Taiwan and China have no jurisdiction over each other, to put aside political disputes, and to promptly conduct negotiations with Taiwan on cross-strait issues of mutual concern so as to implement related policies. This is the only way to truly benefit the people on both sides.