Date: March 20, 2018
MAC Press Release No. 23
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated on March 20 in regards to comments on Taiwan by the mainland Chinese leader that the Mainland is currently undergoing institutional changes and personnel replacements and has declared its commitment to realizing its development goals and vision. However, the key should be the implementation of "listening to public opinion, expanding democratic participation, and protecting human rights and freedom." The Mainland should also truly shoulder its responsibly to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region.
The MAC stated that facing new developments in the Taiwan Strait, mainland China has repeatedly used negative means to force Taiwan to accept its unilaterally established development direction for cross-Strait relations, disregarding Taiwan's dignity and the public's expectations. It has also refused to improve relations between the two sides through calm communication. These are not healthy initiatives conducive to the positive development on the two sides. The Mainland has recently unilaterally intensified promotion of a united-front strategy against Taiwan to draw away Taiwanese talent, capital, and technology for its own economic development, contrary to the principle of truly reciprocal exchange. We believe that Beijing needs to put itself in others' shoes, show empathy, and set aside differences to seek common ground on the past historical facts and foundation if there is to be room to improve the environment for cross-Strait interactions and achieve a shared mindset.
The MAC stressed that the benign development of cross-Strait relations is the expectation of people on both sides of the Strait as well as the responsibility of both sides. The government has the firm conviction to safeguard national sovereignty and dignity and the interests and well-being of the public. We also hope that, as the mainland Chinese leader enters a new phase of rule, he can break away from its fixed mindset of strong-arm intimidation, respect the cross-Strait reality, show a responsible attitude towards the people and history, adhere to the traditional political wisdom of harmony and moderation, and seek a breakthrough in cross-Strait relations.