The president mentioned that since taking office he has greatly improved cross-strait relations. He has consistently sought under the framework of the ROC Constitution to maintain the status quo of "no unification, no independence, and no use of force" in the Taiwan Strait, and to seek peaceful cross-strait relations in line with the 1992 Consensus—whereby each side acknowledges the existence of "one China" but maintains its own interpretation of what that means. The two sides have signed 23 agreements, and the ministers in charge of cross-strait affairs from each side have met seven times, addressing each other by their official titles. Moreover, he met in Singapore on November 7 last year with mainland Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平). This was the first meeting between the leaders of the two sides since Taiwan and mainland China came under separate rule 66 years ago. They exchanged views on how to consolidate cross-strait peace and maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, and confirmed their shared view that they should continue to maintain the peaceful and prosperous cross-strait status quo on the basis of the 1992 Consensus. If this foundation can be maintained, said the president, peaceful development of cross-strait relations can continue.
【Source: Office of the President】