The president also discussed cross-strait relations, saying that US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel last month stated that the development of Taiwan-US relations over the past several years has been extremely constructive, that this is closely related to progress in cross-strait relations, and that the United States would also like to see the continued development of cross-strait relations. This, President Ma said, indicates that an improvement in Taiwan's relations with mainland China is a positive development for the United States.
President Ma feels that a major reason for the successful progress of cross-strait relations is that both sides simultaneously returned to the "1992 Consensus," whereby each side acknowledges the existence of "one China" but maintains its own interpretation of what that means.
President Ma also mentioned that in addition to the ROC government seeking to strengthen cross-strait relations in order to create peace in the Taiwan Strait, in August 2012 he also announced the East China Sea Peace Initiative, which stresses that "although sovereignty over national territory cannot be compromised, natural resources can be shared." This framework urges related parties to use peaceful measures to resolve disputes in the East China Sea. The president cited the example of the signing of a fisheries agreement between the ROC and Japan in 2013, thereby resolving a 40-year fishing dispute. In addition, subsequent to the Guang Da Xing No. 28 incident, in which personnel on a Philippine Coast Guard vessel fired at a Taiwanese fishing boat, killing a fisherman and damaging the boat, the governments of the two nations held talks and reached a consensus to refrain from using force in law enforcement actions, to notify each other prior to such actions, and promptly release detained fishing vessels and crews in case of arrest. This, the president said, highlights the efforts and contributions by the ROC in promoting regional peace.
Lastly, President Ma emphasized that the ROC government in the future will continue to serve as a "peacemaker" in the international arena, maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, and South China Sea. At the same time, it will be a provider of humanitarian aid, helping to maintain regional stability and create co-prosperity.
【Source: Office of the President】