President Tsai Ing-wen has called on China to engage in positive dialogue with Taiwan “as soon as possible.” The call came Monday during her National Day address.
October 10th marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China, which is Taiwan’s official name. It was Tsai’s first National Day address since she took office in May.
In her speech, the president spoke about what her administration will do in order to pursue a win-win situation in ties with China. She said the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government will “establish a consistent, predictable and sustainable cross-strait relationship, and maintain both Taiwan’s democracy and the status quo of peace across the Taiwan Strait.”
Tsai also said the government will “conduct cross-strait affairs in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of China, the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, and other relevant legislation.” She said Taiwan will “spare no effort in maintaining mechanisms for dialogue and communication across the Taiwan Strait.”
The president also spoke about the controversial “1992 Consensus”, which her predecessor used as a way of engaging China. Her administration has faced roadblocks in ties because she has yet to endorse the consensus.
“We respect the historical fact that in 1992, the two institutions representing each side across the strait met, and we advocate that both sides must collectively cherish and sustain the accumulated outcomes enabled by over 20 years of cross-strait interactions and negotiations since 1992, and continuously promote the stable and peaceful development of the cross-strait relationship based on such existing political foundations. I also call on the two governing parties across the strait to set aside the baggage of history, and engage in positive dialogue for the benefit of people on both sides,” said Tsai.
Tsai said that cross-strait relations have seen ups and downs in the past months. But she said that Taiwan’s stance remains consistent and firm and that the government will not bow to pressure from China.
The president also said that maintaining the status quo has another, more proactive meaning. She said with deepening democracy as a foundation, Taiwan will “take proactive and forward-looking measures to promote constructive exchanges and dialogue across the strait, in order to build a peaceful and stable cross-strait relationship that endures.”