“I hope mainland China will institute these reforms while pursuing economic growth so its people will be able to live in a diverse, open society,” Lai said. “This would be conducive to sustainable cross-strait stability and prosperity.”
Lai made the remarks during a symposium marking the 20th anniversary of the Straits Exchange Foundation—Taiwan’s semiofficial body tasked with negotiating civil affairs with mainland China.
The minister praised the considerable headway the SEF has made in expanding exchanges across the strait, and said she expects it will continue its unrelenting efforts.
While acknowledging the existence of some disputes that cannot be resolved in the short term, Lai reaffirmed that the ROC government will continue to engage Beijing and strive for a win-win situation.
In the coming cross-strait negotiations on trade and commerce, she said, the government will take step-by-step measures, making it a priority to ensure that the rights of the disadvantaged are not affected. “Only in this way will our policies receive more support from the people.”
American Institute in Taiwan Director William A. Stanton, who also attended the event, reiterated U.S. support for easing cross-strait ties.
“A stable and secure relationship between Taiwan and China is demonstrably good for both sides, it is good for the region and it is good for the U.S.,” he said.
Continued U.S. support for Taiwan’s security, democracy and development, Stanton said, includes a commitment to “making further progress on such issues as visa waiver, export controls and the sale of defensive weapons.”
“It is important that we do even more to strengthen our bilateral ties. Doing so serves not only our mutual interests, but also helps to ensure further cross-strait progress,” he added. (THN)
Write to Elaine Hou at elainehou@mail.gio.gov.tw