Date: January 17, 2018
MAC Press Release No. 4
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) issued the following statement on January 17 regarding the unfactual and improper comments by the Taiwan Affairs Office at a press conference
1. The government's consistent position has been to maintain the status quo of cross-Strait peace. For over a year, it has actively shown goodwill and flexibility and properly handled cross-Strait affairs. It has done the utmost to keep existing cross-Strait communication mechanisms operational and endeavored to maintain a harmonious environment for cross-Strait exchanges. This has been apparent to all. The Mainland persists in pressuring Taiwan to accept its unilaterally established "one China principle" and the "1992 Consensus" as a political basis for interaction. Its refusal to communicate with Taiwan has led to lost opportunities. This is the main crux of the complex and serious situation in cross-Strait relations.
2. Mainland China's continued diplomatic pressuring and military intimidation of Taiwan threatens peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region. It has also created an upward spiral in cross-Strait opposition. We believe that the Beijing authorities should reflect on their own faults. They should not speak without thinking or recklessly accuse Taiwan of "desinicization" and "advancing gradual Taiwan independence," nor do they need to rely on their development advantages. Arrogance and disregard for the backlash of public opinion in Taiwan will only widen the psychological divide between the people on the two sides. It is also detrimental to the right of the people of both sides to harmoniously coexist.
3. The peaceful and stable development of cross-Strait relations is a joint responsibility of both sides. Mainland China should put away the old "me first, dominate by force" mentality towards Taiwan. It should pragmatically face the fact of the existence of the Republic of China, respect Taiwan's dignity and rights, rationally view Taiwan's internal reforms and policies, and, through communication and dialogue without preconditions, jointly seek possibilities for future interaction. This is absolutely an unshirkable responsibility on the other side.