Mainland Affairs Council Minister Katherine Chang has called on Mainland China to continue to allow cross-strait communication and exchanges for the benefit of people in both countries.=
Chang was answering questions at the legislature on Monday when she made the call. She was on hand as lawmakers reviewed a draft amendment to a law that details the requirements for Mainland spouses to get an ID card in Taiwan.
The article has long been a contentious one in the broad scope of cross-strait relations. Chinese spouses of Taiwanese citizens have to wait six years in order to get an identity card, while other foreign spouses only have to wait four years.
When asked how the new administration would communicate with China if China has suspended channels of communication, Chang said that more work was needed.
“It really takes consistent effort to gradually improve cross-strait relations. I think we are expressing our good will [towards Mainland China] every day," said Chang, "For instance, China has increased its total investment in Taiwan between the months of January and May, which means we have not set any limit on [how much they can invest]. We feel that [cross-strait] communication and exchanges will be beneficial for both sides.”
China announced on Saturday that it was suspending communication channels with Taiwan because President Tsai Ing-wen has not accepted the 1992 Consensus. Under the consensus, the two sides agree that both belong to one China, each allowing the other side to hold its own interpretation of what “one China” means.
Chang says that President Tsai Ing-wen has, on multiple occasions, acknowledged the historical fact of the 1992 meeting between Taiwan and China. She said Taiwan hopes to work with China to seek common