Taiwan’s top China policymaker Andrew Hsia is calling on Beijing to recognize the Republic of China on Taiwan.
Hsia is the minister of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC). He was speaking on Monday in Washington at a seminar on cross-strait relations held by the Brookings Institution.
Hsia urged China to respect Taiwan’s dignity and listen to the opinions of its people. In order to promote peace and stability, he said the MAC will push for “institutionalized” talks, the legislation of bills concerning the livelihood of Chinese spouses and students living in Taiwan, and the establishment of representative offices in each other’s territory. Hsia also said that a priority will be seeking a general consensus in Taiwan on trade in goods with China.
American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairman Raymond Burghardt was also at Monday’s seminar. He said that the annual Monterey Talks between Taipei and Washington will be held next week in Washington.
This will be the first time since 1997 that the talks will be held in Washington rather than in Monterey, California. High-ranking military and national security officials from both sides will attend the event.