President-elect Tsai Ing-wen will not mention the 1992 Consensus at her inauguration ceremony on May 20. That’s according to Premier Chang San-cheng on Friday.
The 1992 Consensus refers to a tacit understanding between Taiwan and Mainland China that both belong to “One China”. However, under the consensus, both sides are allowed to maintain separate interpretations of what “One China” means. The consensus has been a key platform for cross-strait relations under the Ma Ying-jeou government since 2008. However, the incoming Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration does not acknowledge the consensus.
Chang said he has suggested President Ma Ying-jeou leave Tsai Ing-wen and her party to handle their own narrative on cross-strait relations.
“I think [Tsai Ing-wen] won’t speak about the 1992 Consensus. And I think it doesn’t matter if we suggest otherwise, there are things she just won’t speak about. We should let the DPP handle their own matters, [since] it’s impossible to change [their] ideology," said Chang.
"Tsai has her own narrative on the matter, and her party needs to think twice about whether that narrative will be recognized by the international community and how it will impact cross-strait relations. Tsai has won the election based on the narrative, she will not change it.”
Chang said he believes Mainland China will continue to shrink Taiwan’s space in the international community and that he is not optimistic about cross-strait relations in the near future.