Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) on Thursday slammed China for pledging to resolve the “Taiwan issue” and opposing what it considers foreign interference, saying such claims in no way help to improve cross-strait relations.

At a press briefing, MAC spokesperson Chiu Chui-cheng (???) criticized a government report announced by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (???) last week at the fifth session of the 13th National People’s Congress saying that it would not contribute to improved relations between Taiwan and China.

Li said Beijing is committed to pushing for a general strategy to “resolve the Taiwan issue in the new era” and insisting on the “one China” principle and “1992 consensus.”

According to Li, China “firmly opposes any separatist activities seeking Taiwan independence and interference from foreign powers” and continues to promote reunification with Taiwan.

In response, Chiu said the Taiwan government does not recognize nor accept Beijing’s one China principle, which claims Taiwan as part of Chinese territory.

Chiu argued that to Beijing, the “1992 consensus” means a complete denial of the existence of the Republic of China, Taiwan’s official name.

The “1992 consensus” refers to a tacit understanding reached in 1992 between the then-KMT government in Taiwan and the Chinese government. Under the consensus, both sides of the strait acknowledge there is only “one China.”

The KMT’s interpretation of the consensus is that each side is free to interpret what “China” means. Beijing has never publicly recognized or denied this interpretation.

Chiu added that any attempt to isolate Taiwan from the international community or exert political and economic pressure on the country would be rejected by the people of Taiwan.

Meanwhile, Chang Wu-ueh (???), an associate professor at Tamkang University specializing in cross-strait relations, said Chinese officials first began talking about resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era in November.

Although the latest government report emphasized Beijing’s objection to Taiwan independence and foreign interference, there is no indication that China is pursuing a new strategy for handling the Taiwan issue, Chang observed.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel