Date: May 1, 2018
MAC Press Release No. 031
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) issued the following solemn statement on May 1 regarding Dominican Republic's severance of diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (ROC) and establishment of diplomatic ties with mainland China:
1. Over the past two years, mainland China has maliciously manipulated its "one China principle" in the international community and used economic and trade benefits to expand its influence over Taiwan's diplomatic allies. It coerced Dominican Republic to break off diplomatic relations with Taiwan to pressure Taiwan into accepting its unilateral political views. Such rigid zero-sum thinking and irrational hegemonic behavior severely undermine the foundation and status quo of peaceful and stable development across the Taiwan Strait. The ROC government strongly condemns and expresses dissatisfaction over this action. Beijing must take full responsibility for any possible consequences.
2. Beijing has violated its pledge of peaceful development and long suppressed Taiwan's international survival space. This is the root cause of cross-Strait conflict and regional unrest. The Mainland has also directly harmed the rights, interests, well-being, and expectations of the 23 million people of Taiwan. We demand that the other side immediately stop provoking Taiwan with extreme political and military pressure. We also call on the international community to acknowledge that mainland China's political agenda and mistaken actions towards Taiwan will seriously harm peace and stability in East Asia.
3. The ROC is a sovereign state. The government is firmly committed to the position of maintaining cross-Strait and regional peace and stability and will never yield to threats under pressure. Faced with the difficult situation of continuous pressure from mainland China, the government is determined to defend the country's dignity and the rights and interests of the people, as well as take necessary action. It also calls for solidarity among the ruling and opposition parties and the people to work together for the future survival and development of Taiwan.