Date: September 14, 2017
MAC Press Release No. 65
On September 7, 2017, the biweekly magazine "Wealth" reported that the "Fujian Provincial Taiwan Affairs Office sent personnel four times for cross-sea coordination" and that "China performed security work in Kinmen." The report inappropriately conflated cross-Strait exchange activities with a government act of sovereignty involving entry and exit security management. This is patently inconsistent with the facts. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) solemnly issues the following clarification on three points:
1. The Republic of China (ROC) is a sovereign and independent country with absolute and complete autonomy and jurisdiction over personnel entry and exit and safety management matters. The government will never allow encroachment on sovereignty, security autonomy and jurisdiction. This firm stand has never changed.
2. The government welcomes normal cross-Strait and Mini-Three-Links exchanges. It is also willing to exchange views with the Mainland side on various issues and promotes the positive development of cross-Strait relations. The magazine reported four visits to Kinmen by personnel from the mainland to participate in Mini-Three-Links exchange activities. Inquiries showed that activities for which the Mainland personnel applied included economic and trade exchanges, water supply to Kinmen from mainland China, and ocean trash control, as well as arts and tourism promotion activities. The National Immigration Agency under the Ministry of the Interior jointly reviewed the related applications with the relevant authorities before approving issuance of entry and exit permits for the personnel from mainland China. The related media, based purely on speculation, erroneously and inappropriately conflated the purpose of the exchange activities undertaken by the Mainland personnel in Kinmen with security affairs related to the BRICS summit to be held in mainland China. This is clearly inappropriate and the MAC deeply regrets the confusion.
3. Since May 20 last year (2016), the government has conducted all cross-Strait affairs in accordance with the ROC Constitution, the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, and other relevant laws. It also continues to show goodwill to mainland China and to keep open a wide door for communication and has called for the two sides to promptly begin dialogue and consultation. However, on matters involving sovereignty, the government will never compromise or make concessions. Furthermore, the MAC has requested that the Kinmen County Government investigate and clarify the parts of the report concerning it to correct public perceptions.