The head of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said on Tuesday that both Taiwan and China are responsible for maintaining the peaceful status quo in cross-strait relations. The MAC is Taiwan’s top government body charting China policy.
MAC Minister Chang Hsiao Yueh said the Tsai Ing-wen administration wants to maintain the status quo of peaceful relations.
Chang said, "Our cross-strait policy is to maintain the status quo of peaceful development of cross-strait relations. Dialogue and communication is needed to maintain this current situation. We appeal to Mainland China that both sides of the strait have responsibility for cross-strait peace. We call on both ruling parties to put aside the burdens of history and work for the interests of the people on both sides of the strait through goodwill, communication and exchanges."
Reporters asked Chang if the cross-strait hotline is working and if it had been used since President Tsai took office on May 20. Chang did not comment and only answered with a thank you.