Taiwan’s top official charting China policy said that more dialogue with China is needed over the issue of one China and the 1992 Consensus. That consensus was that the two sides could agree on one China, each side with its own interpretation. The former administration used it as a basis for talks with China.
Mainland Affairs Council Minister Katharine Chang said that the new administration has a new interpretation of the 92 Consensus and it will take more dialogue to resolve this issue:
"Though [we] have a different stance and perspective than China, we believe communication, dialogue and understanding is very important. Since we have different stances, we need more communication and dialogue to understand each other better. We need to increase interaction," said Chang.
Taipei is hosting the Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum. Chang said she has tried to express goodwill to visiting Chinese officials and to relay messages from President Tsai Ing-wen.
Chinese officials have said the one China principle should be the basis of exchanges, but Chang said the two sides should return to the essence of exchanges:
"I think that if we say two or four simple words, it will lead to much discussion. There are many different opinions. I think that exchanges are exchanges and we should return to the essence of exchanges which is to have more interaction and communication," said Chang.
Chang was speaking Tuesday at a seminar on cross-strait issues for legislators’ aides.