MAC: The international community should respect the Taiwanese people's insistence on national identity
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) indicated today (March 5, 2007) that the important statement made yesterday by President Chen Shui-bian on the development of democracy in Taiwan was directed at cross-strait relations and the international situation. It fully explains Taiwan's current national development needs and objectives, as well as the future course of Taiwan's efforts to become a normal country. The MAC stated that President Chen's stance and appeal responds to the deepening of democracy in Taiwan. It is also an expression of the Taiwanese people's insistence on national identity and Taiwan-centric consciousness. The international community should fully respect and support this. The MAC indicated that the Chinese authorities have constantly used their political framework and military means to suppress Taiwan. They not only entirely ignore the historical reality that Taiwan and China have no jurisdiction over each other, but also fully limit and suppress Taiwan's national development and international personality. The MAC emphasized that Taiwan is an independent sovereign country. Under this premise, the government will safeguard Taiwan's future national development and the Taiwanese people’s livelihood rights.
The MAC indicated that the status quo across the Strait is that Taiwan and China have no jurisdiction over each other; this status quo should be ensured. Taiwan is a democratic country with its own democratically elected government. It is a sovereign country independent of the People's Republic of China. Taiwan's sovereignty belongs to the 23 million Taiwanese people. The greatest consensus in contemporary Taiwanese society is that only the 23 million Taiwanese people have the right to decide on any changes in the future of Taiwan.
The MAC stated that the government’s promotion of the "name rectification" campaign is aimed at clearing up misunderstanding in the international community as well as countering the Chinese authorities' long-term and deliberate negligence of the status quo in which Taiwan and China have no jurisdiction over each other. Since the Chinese authorities have not only launched irrational verbal attacks against Taiwan based on the rigid “one China” mindset that China has fabricated, but have also constantly dwarfed Taiwan by demanding that Taiwan’s national title be changed in the international arena, their actions have aroused extreme resentments among the Taiwanese people. The rectification of Taiwan’s name is the only way to truly reflect the reality of the status quo by using the proper national moniker and present a true face that accords with historical views and world trends. The government will handle this matter based on a more pragmatic, diverse and open position and will not tolerate interference by the Chinese authorities.
The MAC reiterated that it is imperative for Taiwan to have a constitution that is timely, relevant and viable if Taiwan intends to become a normal and integral country. The Taiwanese government's promotion of the constitutional reengineering project is fully consistent with the spirit and methods by which a democratic country internally explores issues of constitutional government. On this matter there is a high level of expectation and support in the public opinion of Taiwan. The government will also carry out constitutional reforms step by step according to democratic and legal procedures. Regrettably, the Chinese regime lacks a basic understanding of the operation of democratic systems of government and is unable to understand the trend of mainstream public opinion in Taiwan. Recently, the Beijing authorities have repeatedly made irrational statements and expressed unreasonable and abusive criticism against Taiwan’s measures to promote democratic development through the constitutional reengineering. China’s attempts to interfere in Taiwan's internal affairs will not be conducive to the normal development of cross-strait relations.
The MAC emphasized that Taiwan's sustainable development is the common aspiration of all Taiwanese people. Taiwan's further development will hinge on the efforts to promote comprehensive advancement in the political, economic, education, social and diplomatic fields. This is the only way to ensure the greatest welfare of the 23 million Taiwanese people.
The MAC solemnly indicated that the highest objective of the Taiwan government's cross-strait policy has always been to seek peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Under this precondition, Taiwan will not only continue to promote cross-strait exchanges according to established steps, but will also place priority on the promotion of negotiations on tourism and charter flight issues. Negotiations on these two issues have achieved a certain degree of consensus and mutual understanding over the past year. The Taiwanese government will take positive action to complete negotiations in the shortest possible time with a view to implementing these open-door policies as soon as possible.