Date: September 27, 2017
MAC Press Release No. 69
In regards to inappropriate comments by a spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office that Taiwan has never been a country, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) today (September 27, 2017) solemnly stated that the Republic of China is a sovereign state. Mainland China's unilateral statement cannot change this objective fact. Taiwan's freedom, democracy, human rights, rule of law, economic development, and other soft powers have been highly acclaimed by the international community. Taiwan's future and the development of cross-Strait relations will be jointly decided by the 23 million people of Taiwan. This is the greatest consensus in Taiwan. Mainland China must also recognize this fact.
The MAC said that the government has been consistent in its policy position of firmly defending national sovereignty and dignity and the well-being of the people of Taiwan. The development of positive cross-Strait interactions is an interactive process that can only be achieved through joint efforts. We call on mainland China to adopt forward-looking and innovative thinking, break away from negative perceptions and actions, and resolve differences with Taiwan through communication and dialogue to develop constructive cross-Strait relations.