Taiwan Today

The ROC government will continue to foster cross-strait relations based on the 1992 consensus, according to President Ma Ying-jeou Oct. 18. “The consensus enables the principle of one China, which is enshrined in the ROC Constitution, to be maintained while allowing both sides more room to expand relations,” Ma said during the 18th Central Advisory Committee, his first since being sworn in as Kuomintang chairman the day before. The consensus was reached at October 1992 talks between Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation and mainland China’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait in Hong Kong. Both sides recognized there is only one China but agreed to differ on the definition. Ma said improved cross-strait relations are integral to Taiwan’s future development. “It is impossible for Taiwan not to engage in relations with mainland China,” he said, echoing Chinese Communist Party General-Secretary Hu Jintao’s reiteration of the 1992 consensus in a congratulatory fax sent to Ma Oct. 17. Concerning the extent to which the relationship between Taipei and Beijing should develop, the president said there is still room for further discussion on this issue. “Engaging with mainland China is necessary and should been seen as a pragmatic way for the government to manage cross-strait affairs.” Ma said that based on the statement signed by KMT Honorary Chairman Lien Chan and Hu during the former’s visit to the mainland China in 2005, both sides expressed a wish to promote relations across the strait based on the 1992 consensus. The principle of putting Taiwan first for the benefit of the people must be upheld, Ma said. “In this way, we can safeguard the ROC’s sovereignty and deliver benefits to the people of Taiwan at the same time.” Ma said the easing of tensions between Taipei and Beijing since he took office last May has enabled peace in the Taiwan Strait to be preserved. “This reflects the people of both sides’ common desire for permanent peace across the strait,” he said. “I hope such positive cross-strait developments can be sustained and am confident the KMT will do its utmost to assist the government in achieving this goal.” (CYH-JSM)