China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) said Wednesday that the status quo in cross-strait relations will change without the 1992 Consensus.
The 1992 Consensus refers to an understanding between Taiwan and Mainland China that both sides belong to One China. The consensus allows both sides to maintain separate interpretations of what One China means.
At a press conference Wednesday, Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman An Fengshan said that continued peaceful development of cross-strait ties is dependent on opposing Taiwan independence and sticking to the consensus.
An said that cross-strait ties are now at a critical juncture. An said if the existing foundation is broken, cross-strait ties will go revert to their turbulent past.
An said that in 2008, the two sides renewed contact after a hiatus of nearly ten years. In the past eight years, the two sides have held 11 rounds of talks and signed 23 agreements. An said this has been beneficial for the people and relations across the strait.