President Tsai Ing-wen says her government respects the understanding reached between representatives of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait in 1992. Tsai was speaking in her inaugural address after taking the oath of office on Friday morning.
Under the controversial tacit agreement known as the “1992 Consensus,” both sides agree that there is only “one China,” though each may have its own interpretation of what that constitutes.
“We will also work to maintain the existing mechanisms for dialogue and communication across the Taiwan Strait. In 1992, the two institutions representing each side across the Strait, through communication and negotiations, arrived at various joint acknowledgments and understandings. It was done in a spirit of mutual understanding and a political attitude of seeking common ground while setting aside differences. I respect this historical fact," said Tsai.
Tsai said both Taiwan and China should uphold the status quo and the results of 20 years of interactions and negotiations since 1992.
The president said she will push for cross-strait peace and development based on the “existing realities and political foundations.”
“By existing political foundations, I refer to a number of key elements. The first element is the fact of the 1992 talks between the two institutions representing each side across the Strait, when there was joint acknowledgement of setting aside differences to seek common ground. This is a historical fact. The second element is the existing Republic of China constitutional order. The third element pertains to the outcomes of over twenty years of negotiations and interactions across the Strait. And the fourth relates to the democratic principle and prevalent will of the people of Taiwan," said Tsai.
The president also urged China to “set aside the baggage of history” and engage in positive dialogue with Taiwan.