1. Since its establishment in 1912, the Republic of China (ROC) has weathered and survivedinternal and external challenges and changes. Never for a moment vanishing, the ROC has stood proudly and unwaveringly. Beginning in 1949, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have been under separate jurisdictions, neither subject to the other. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) regime has never ruled Taiwan, Pescadores, Kinmen, and Matsu. Beijing’s statements in the white paper that “the ROC already reached its end in history in 1949” and that “the PRC undoubtedly owns and exercises the sovereignty over China, including Taiwan” completely distort the facts. Beijing’s repeated denial of the reality of ROC’s existence only creates more troubles, and escalates tensions in cross-strait relations, which is utterly unhelpful for pragmatically resolving the disputes.
2. At the center of the cross-strait relations stands the issue of political identity. In our view, China since 1949 has been hitherto divided. Before the day of unification arrives, each of the two sides should be entitled to different interpretations on “one China.” The consensus that “the definition of one China should be subject to respective interpretations” reached by the two sides in 1992 is a consensus circumventing the issue of political identity. It is therefore the best way to promote the cross-strait relations. For the purposes of pursuing greater interests of the peoples across the Strait, and acquiring an early solution of the cross-strait issues, the ROC government urges the PRC to sensibly return to the 1992 consensus.
February 22, 2000
Mainland Affairs Council
Executive Yuan, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
Tel:886-2-23975589 Fax:886-2-23975294 WWW URL:www.mac.gov.tw
E-mail:macst@mac.gov.tw