The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) points out that the present close cross-Strait cultural, trade and economic exchanges conducted by the private sector are positive results achieved by long-term cooperation between the governments and numerous private individuals on both sides of the Strait. Our Government continues to implement its relaxation policy and establish normalized order in the exchanges to preserve and expand the results of these exchanges as best as is possible.
The MAC expresses considerable regret over the attitude displayed by the Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office at its press briefing today (18th). The said Office has opted to dodge questions regarding the Mainland authorities' recent oppression of Taiwanese businessmen and artists. The MAC emphasizes that while the Mainland expressed that it has not boycotted the Taiwanese businessmen's return to Taiwan to attend the Dragon Boat Festival gathering hosted by the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), it has shirked taking the responsibility for the deliberate interference in Taiwanese artist A-mei's concert in the Mainland's Hangzhou city and blamed the "internet users" for the incident. These are statements constantly provided by the Mainland authorities, who speak and act in one way but actually aim at something quite different. Recent media reports state that several Taiwanese businessmen as well as Taiwanese artists have indeed been affected by political interference. These actions of the Mainland produce a negative influence on benign cross-Strait interaction and on the establishment of mutual confidence. The MAC seriously urges the Mainland authorities to immediately put a stop to these actions that obstruct normalized cross-Strait cultural, trade and economic exchanges, and to immediately declare publicly and with clarity the position that it will never again politically disrupt normalized cross-Strait cultural, trade and economic exchanges, to benefit continued positive interaction between both sides of the Strait.
The Mainland has continually attempted to threaten the Taiwanese people by the mass deployment of ballistic missiles and by the implementation of large-scale military exercises that are directed against Taiwan. This is the fact and the status quo. The MAC points out that in order to defend the existence and development of the Republic of China and to properly carry out its responsibility of protecting the Taiwanese people, the Government deems there is no other alternative but considers it necessary to reinforce its military defense capabilities. The MAC states that if the Mainland authorities would renounce its own ideologies and resume dialogue with Taiwan as soon as possible, the Government is willing to conduct negotiations and sign an agreement with the Mainland on related issues concerning the establishment of a cross-Strait military mutual trust mechanism.
The MAC points out that the promotion of the cross-Strait "Three-Links" is an established policy of the Government. The Government's announcement on August 15, 2003 of the "Assessment Report on the Impact of Direct Cross-Strait Transportation" shows our greatest sincerity in the pragmatic implementation of the cross-Strait "Three-Links." The Taiwan side has also made all the preparations of the negotiations for the orderly promotion and implementation of the "direct transportation links." However, the Mainland side has been repeatedly and unreasonably obstructing this by political means and based on such considerations, and has constantly shifted the blame for its refusal to negotiate on Taiwan, resulting in the delayed implementation of the cross-Strait "Three-Links." Regarding this, the MAC thinks that both sides had better sit down and pragmatically conduct communication and dialogue than to engage in verbal argument across the Strait. We firmly believe that both sides should be able to make clear and narrow down the differences of each other's standpoints and perception when the time comes; both sides could also be able to make more concrete arrangements with regard to the timetable for the implementation of the cross-Strait "Three-Links."
With regard to the constant arrival of stowaways from the Mainland area, the MAC states that this has seriously affected the peace and order in Taiwan's society. As to the Mainland stowaways apprehended by the Taiwan side, based on humanitarian considerations, Taiwan has made regular requests to the Mainland authorities to transport them back to the Mainland in accordance with the cross-Strait agreement and consensus. What is regrettable is that since March of this year, the Mainland has refused to repatriate its citizens back due to a less than ideal political atmosphere. Now, the Taiwan Affairs Office is trying to delay the repatriations by saying that the vessels that would carry the Mainland stowaways needed repairs. It is thus difficult to imagine how the Mainland authorities are viewing the basic human rights of its people.
The MAC points out that in order to maintain the rights of the Mainland people to return to their hometowns as early as possible, Taiwan has repeatedly requested the Mainland authorities to immediately dispatch other available vessels to carry the more than 2,600 Mainland stowaways who have overstayed in Taiwan. Of course, if the Mainland has difficulty finding the vessels, we are willing to rent out suitable vessels to carry out the repatriations. To show our sincerity, the MAC will immediately instruct the SEF to formally inform the Mainland authorities in writing of our recommendation.
The Government has recently made several constructive proposals for the enhancement of cross-Strait relations. It has transmitted fully its goodwill toward the Mainland authorities, hoping that this would narrow down the gap between the standpoints of both sides and lead to the early resumption of normalized cross-Strait negotiations and consultation. The MAC expects the Beijing side to make a corresponding goodwill response, to pave the way for both sides to exert efforts to move toward more pragmatism and more flexibility, and to jointly work for the greatest welfare and interests of their respective peoples.