Cross-strait relations have moved into an unprecedented, positive phase due to the ROC government’s pragmatic, principled approach and steady leadership, Mainland Affairs Council Minister Lai Shin-yuan said Sept. 8.
Lai’s comments came in an address on “Taiwan’s Cross-Strait Policy—Building an Irreversible Foundation for Peace” at Chatham House, headquarters of the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London. She credited President Ma Ying-jeou’s policies for dispelling domestic political pressure and achieving a key breakthrough with the signing of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement between Taipei and Beijing last June.
Guiding cross-strait policy with the rule of “putting Taiwan first, for the benefit of the people,” and “facing reality, creating the future, shelving disputes and pursuing a win-win situation,” the president found common interests between the two sides and created new footing for the development of both cross-strait and international relations, she said.
Ma’s pragmatic approach is based on the ROC Constitution and the principles of “no unification, no independence and no use of force,” along with the “1992 consensus,” under which each side makes its own interpretation of ‘one China,’ Lai explained.
Calling ECFA a “signal of cross-strait peace,” she noted that the pact’s overarching significance lies in allowing “the systemization of cross-strait economic and trade dealings” and in prompting other countries to more actively consider economic agreements with Taiwan, thus preventing the country’s marginalization.
In addition, Lai said Ma’s strategy of “viable diplomacy” and improved relations between Taiwan and mainland China have allowed Taiwan to expand its international space, as seen in its participation in the World Health Assembly, membership in the World Trade Agreement on Government Procurement and visa-free privileges from numerous countries.
The ROC will continue “to adhere to Ma’s staunch and unswerving convictions in carrying on negotiations with the mainland,” Lai said. “We will resolutely follow this path until an irreversibly solid foundation for cross-strait peace has been established.” (THN)
Write to Grace Kuo at morningk@mail.gio.gov.tw