President Tsai Ing-wen said April 27 that mainland China should show perspective and flexibility on cross-strait issues in response to Taiwan’s tolerant approach and greatest possible goodwill so as to allow relations between the two sides to move forward.
Since taking office in May last year, the government has abided by its pledge to maintain the status quo and has not taken any provocative actions or caused any surprises, Tsai said. It has upheld its responsibility in maintaining peace and stability in cross-strait relations and across the region as well, she added.
It is hoped that Beijing can understand the world is changing and mainland Chinese leader Xi Jinping can look at cross-strait relations from another angle, the president said, adding that this would be a positive development.
Tsai made the remarks in an interview with Reuters at the Office of the President in Taipei City during which she elaborated on such issues as Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly—the decision-making body of the World Health Organization; the arrest of Republic of China (Taiwan) national Lee Ming-che in mainland China since March 19; strengthened Taiwan-U.S. relations; and the government’s program of economic, pension and social reforms.
According to the president, cross-strait ties cannot be one-sided and there must be a process of engagement. Only through an accumulation of goodwill can the relationship move forward, she said.
An example of this goodwill and important indicator of cross-strait relations is mainland China’s stance on Taiwan’s participation in next month’s WHA, Tsai said, adding that many countries have written to the WHA in support of Taiwan taking part in the annual meeting.
Taiwan’s participation in the WHA represents the desire of the people of Taiwan and the international community as well, the president said. If it was prevented by mainland China from participating in an expert and nonpolitical event like the WHA, this would have a major adverse impact on cross-strait relations, she added.
Another issue of importance is the arrest of Lee, Tsai said, urging Beijing to be especially careful so as to ensure this does not become an obstacle to the development of cross-strait relations. If the people of Taiwan feel that their safety and human rights are not properly protected by mainland Chinese authorities, this could be very harmful to exchanges between the two sides, she added.
Regarding Taiwan’s longstanding friendship with the U.S., the president said the government hopes to further bolster this relationship by building on the existing foundations and shared values of democracy, freedom, human rights and rule of law.
On the domestic front, Tsai said one of the government’s biggest accomplishments to date is tackling the most difficult and politically risky and costly issues immediately. A raft of economic, pension and social welfare reforms are underway so as to stave off economic stagnation and quicken the pace of reform, she added. (SFC-E)
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