“Our cross-strait policy has eased tensions between the two sides,” Ma said Jan. 28. “But at the same time, we have not lost sight of the need to maintain Taiwan’s self-defense capability and important role this plays in furthering exchanges with mainland China.”
The president made the comments during a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the Mainland Affairs Council in Taipei City.
Ma also reiterated Taiwan’s commitment to engaging mainland China on the basis of equality, reciprocity and dignity while maintaining the cross-strait status quo based on the principle of no unification, no independence and no use of force.
The implementation of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement has also ushered in an institutionalized stage for cross-strait trade relations, the president said. “We must now take a more pragmatic stance in seeking bilateral cooperation.”
Ma believes that warming cross-strait ties have won widespread international recognition, citing recent remarks by U.S. President Barack Obama praising the ECFA and expanded Taipei-Beijing dialogue.
Echoing the president’s comments, MAC Minister Lai Shin-yuan said under the Ma administration, six rounds of talks between Taipei-based Straits Exchange Foundation and its mainland Chinese counterpart the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait have yielded 15 agreements. “This indicates previous confrontation across the strait has transformed into a cooperative relationship.”
Lai also reaffirmed the MAC’s policy of putting Taiwan first for the benefit of the people. “We will continue adhering to this principle in pursuing cross-strait prosperity and stability.” (JSM)
Write to Elaine Hou at elainehou@mail.gio.gov.tw