Date: March 7, 2019
MAC Press Release No. 30
Mainland Affairs Committee (MAC) Deputy Minister Chen Ming-Chi was invited to attend the “Kick-off Reception of TRA @ 40” at Twin Oaks, held by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the United States to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), on the evening of March 6, 2019, Eastern Standard Time. He affirmed, at the reception, that the TRA plays a key role in maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and that, in the future, both sides of the Taiwan Strait should jointly shoulder the responsibility to strive for lasting peace.
Deputy Minister Chen indicated that this kick-off reception and the series of events which would unfold throughout the year not only highlight the importance of the TRA, but are also signs of gratitude shown towards Taiwan’s countless American friends who have given us their staunch and continued support over the past 40 years.
Deputy Minister Chen pointed out that the TRA not only played a key role in maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, but over the past 40 years it had also presented a stable environment which, on the one hand, had promoted the democratic transformation of Taiwan and which, on the other hand, had laid the foundation for the robust development of Mainland China. Deputy Minister Chen stressed that only by continuing to cherish peace and stability could the two sides of the Taiwan Strait become more prosperous and advanced in the future. Therefore, both sides should jointly shoulder the responsibility to strive for lasting peace across the Taiwan Strait.
Regarding this trip to the US and his exchanges with US counterparts, Deputy Minister Chen stated that the US strongly supports Taiwan’s status quo approach on cross-Strait relations and fully understands that neither the Taiwanese government nor the Taiwanese people accept the "one country, two systems model for Taiwan," which negates the existence of Republic of China (Taiwan). In addition, the US side reiterated its security commitments to Taiwan and stressed that its willingness and ability to fulfill such commitments was beyond question.