Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) says he hopes China can respect Taiwan’s sovereignty, as well as its commitment to freedom and democracy. The premier spoke on Monday, in response to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s (李克強) government work report about the “one China” principle.
Li reported on Sunday that Beijing continues to uphold the “one China” principle and the “1992 consensus” regarding its relationship with Taiwan. Taiwan’s KMT and Beijing established the verbal consensus that there is only one China, but both sides have different interpretations of what “one China” is.
Chen says Taiwan is committed to four principles outlined by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) regarding cross strait relations. Those four tenets are maintaining a free democracy, preventing China and Taiwan from being subordinate to each other, protecting Taiwan’s sovereignty, and ensuring that Taiwan’s people decide the country’s future.
Chen says the two countries should manage their relations in a rational manner with mutual respect, so that ties can develop in a healthy manner.