President Tsai Ing-wen has called for sincerity and flexibility from China in order to make progress in cross-strait relations. Tsai was speaking in Paraguay on Wednesday on her first overseas trip since taking office on May 20.
Tsai was responding to a recent statement by China’s Taiwan Affairs Office that cross-strait communication has been suspended. That’s because Tsai did not acknowledge the 1992 Consensus in her inaugural speech. Under the consensus, both sides agree that they belong to one China, with each holding its own interpretation of what "one China" means. Beijing has insisted that recognizing the consensus is the basis of continued cross-strait ties. After Tsai took office, Beijing criticized her inauguration speech as an “incomplete report card” for not mentioning the 1992 Consensus.
Tsai said she hopes Beijing can be more flexible in its thinking regarding cross-strait ties.
"In my inaugural speech on May 20, I expressed our utmost goodwill and flexibility. I also hope that China will read [my speech] more thoroughly and at the same time be more flexible in its thinking. We hope that we can allow both sides of the Taiwan Strait to achieve progress in their relations and maintain stability. I believe that this will be best for everyone," Tsai said.
Tsai said that resuming cross-strait communication is of the utmost importance in maintaining peace and stability. She said it is the responsibility of both Taiwan and China to exert their greatest effort to help each other in this area.