Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen is saying she will maintain the status quo and peaceful cross-strait ties. She was speaking at an economic forum on Tuesday.
Tsai said the cross-strait status quo includes Taiwan’s democratic way of life and constitutional system. She said that if elected, she would cherish the results of over 20 years of cross-strait exchanges and would honor her commitment to maintaining the status quo of cross-strait peace and development.
A business leader asked Tsai what she would do if China insists on the 92 Consensus. That consensus was an agreement by the two sides to agree on One China, but each side with its own interpretation. Tsai said that though China’s attitude is important, so is the will of the people of Taiwan. She said that there needs to be a balance found between pressure from Beijing and what the people of Taiwan want. This will also affect the interests of other countries. Tsai said she looks forward to dialogue with China after the election is over.
"We think that the difference in stances that we have is not something that cannot be dealt with. Once we have the opportunity to rule, after the election, we will have good dialogue with international society and the other side of the strait. So in cross-strait relations, we will communicate, not seek to provoke, nor have any surprises and we will maintain stable cross-strait relations，“ said Tsai.
Tsai also said any cross-strait agreements that have been signed will continue to be in effect. But those that have not been approved by the legislature need to be done so after the bill on the monitoring of cross-strait agreements is passed. The DPP would make it a priority to pass that bill in the new legislature.