Mainland Affairs Council Chairwoman Lai Shin-yuan (賴幸媛) said in a speech at the European Parliament yesterday that the Taiwanese government adheres firmly to the cross-strait status quo of “no unification, no independence and no use of force” and would continue to interact with China in an active and steady manner.
“The knotty issues between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait cannot be resolved within a short time. Nonetheless, our government will continue to interact with the mainland in an active and steady manner,” Lai said.
Lai said that the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) has conducted cross-strait exchanges and interaction in accordance with the so-called “1992 consensus” on an “equal” footing with China and under the principle of “putting Taiwan first for the benefit of the people.”
Lai applauded the goodwill and effort displayed by China during the past two years.
“Both sides of the Strait are trying to address and solve problems with mutual tolerance and understanding, to pave the way toward the ultimate goal of securing perpetual peace in the Taiwan Strait,” she said.
Lai also cited a famous pronouncement from Robert Schuman — first president of the European Parliamentary Assembly — when he delivered the Schuman Declaration proposing the formation of a European Coal and Steel Community, saying that “world peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it.”
“This is exactly how the ROC government has acted in the face of the situation in the Taiwan Strait,” Lai said.
She said that since Ma took office in 2008, Taiwan has held five rounds of high-level talks with China, resulting in the signing of 14 agreements, including the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), adding that these achievements have created a cooperative relationship that is mutually beneficial to both sides.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
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