Ma questions Tsai’s comments on cross-strait ties

Former President Ma Ying-jeou (???) questioned on Monday how his successor, President Tsai Ing-wen (???), will be able to maintain the status quo in relations across the Taiwan Strait if she does not recognize the "1992 consensus."

In her first address on the National Day of the Republic of China -- Taiwan's official name -- Tsai said she respected the historical fact that the 1992 talks with Beijing were held and reiterated her promise to voters to maintain the status quo and peace across the strait.

In a statement released by Ma's office, however, Ma said the "1992 consensus" was an integral part of the status quo, and Tsai's refusal to recognize it could make it hard to maintain the cross-strait status quo and turn her promise into an empty slogan.

The 1992 consensus refers to a tacit agreement reached between Taipei and Beijing in 1992 that there is only one China, with each side free to interpret what that means.

While Ma saw Tsai's recognition of the cross-strait talks in 1992 as a historical fact in a positive light, he said the 1992 consensus was achieved at the conclusion of the historic talks and should also be considered as a historical fact, Ma's office said.

Ma said the consensus was reaffirmed as the political foundation for cross-strait ties during his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Singapore in November last year.

"If President Tsai respects the historic fact, how can she deny 'the 1992 consensus' and 'one China, different interpretations'?" Ma asked.

Meanwhile, the People First Party legislative caucus said Monday that Tsai further expressed her good will for improving relations with China by saying that she respected the 1992 talks, which made clear her bottom line for cross-strait relations: clinging to the Republic of China national title.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel