Date: November 29, 2018
MAC Press Release No. 74
Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Deputy Minister Chiu Chui-cheng recently visited Los Angeles to elaborate the cross-Strait policy position of the government of the Republic of China (ROC) to US politicians, government officials, think tanks, scholars and experts. He also explained the recent cross-Strait situation in an interview with the local Chinese language media on November 28. During the visit, Americans and overseas Taiwanese expressed concern over the results of the local elections in Taiwan and their subsequent impact. Deputy Minister Chiu said that the successful completion of the election highlights the mature and stable operation of Taiwan's democracy. The government will respect the suggestions and views of all sides. It will also continue to carry out related policies on rolling review, as well as listen to public opinion, continue policy communication, and jointly safeguard the status quo of cross-Strait peace and stability. The government is committed to benign interaction in cross-Strait relations. Deputy Minister Chiu also called on the Mainland authorities to respect the ROC and Taiwan's democratic system. This is the greatest consensus of all Taiwanese people. A deliberate political reading of the results of the nine-in-one local elections in Taiwan as support for the Mainland's policy toward Taiwan could lead to misjudgment of future developments in the Taiwan Strait.
The MAC indicated that related think tanks in the US highly approve Taiwan's commitment to a policy of maintaining cross-Strait relations and the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. They also praise the strategic resilience, pragmatism, and prudence of the approach of the team led by President Tsai Ing-wen. At the same time, they feel concern over mainland China's interference with Taiwan and believe that Taiwan needs better response measures and actions.
During related meetings, Deputy Minister Chiu thanked the US for its long-term support of Taiwan's cross-Strait policy and its firm commitments to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances. He emphasized Taiwan's irreplaceable importance in the geopolitics of the Asia-Pacific region, core position in the global industrial supply chain, and role as a beacon of democracy for Chinese people around the world. He also expressed hope that the US would continue to support democratic Taiwan, deepen and expand bilateral cooperation, promote cross-Strait communication and dialogue, and jointly maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait and regional stability.
Deputy Minister Chiu will go to Houston to attend the international symposium on "Economic, Trade, and Diplomatic Relations between Taiwan and the US" co-hosted by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston and University of St. Thomas to discuss with scholars and experts the expansion of mainland China's sharp power. For many years, Beijing has exploited Taiwan's democracy, openness, and diversity to exert sharp power against Taiwan. In recent years, it has even spread false information online to influence Taiwan's elections and damage the government's image. Beijing has used similar tactics to infiltrate other countries as well. The international community must be on guard and face up to the erosion and threat caused to democratic institutions by Beijing's sharp power. They should work together to expose the latest forms of such sharp power and exchange views on defensive measures and relevant regulations. Taiwan will also bolster the nation's psychological defenses, strengthen management of cross-Strait personnel contacts and exchanges, and improve legal systems to prevent the intrusion of Beijing's sharp power.
During this trip, Deputy Minister Chiu will also closely interact with local overseas Taiwanese associations and leaders, listen to suggestions from the overseas Taiwanese community, and attend the "World Peace: Harmony Choral Concert" held by the overseas Taiwanese community in Houston in the hope that the two sides can replace confrontation with good faith communication and compose a new score for cross-Strait peace.