China should take the initiative in extending an olive branch to Taiwan by reducing its military threat and supporting Taiwan’s bid to join the international community, a Taiwanese official involved in China policy issues said.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said China should demonstrate goodwill now that China’s Taiwan Affairs Office Minister Zhang Zhijun (張志軍) has said repeatedly during his visit to Taiwan that he was here to listen to the voices of the people.
The official was responding to reports that Zhang, at a seminar with academics on Thursday night, said issues such as the Republic of China’s status and China’s military threat remain unresolved because the nation is reluctant to hold political talks.
Taiwan has already made it clear that because there is still no consensus within the nation on holding political talks with China, they are not a high priority for the government at present, the official said.
Taiwanese would not accept China passing off its responsibility on these issues, the official said.
China’s military aggression toward and suppression of Taiwan in the international community do not need political consultation to be resolved because those issues can be resolved unilaterally by Beijing, the official said.
Separately yesterday, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Zhang appeared friendly this week, but further observation is needed to see if it leads to any change in Beijing’s policy toward Taiwan.
Tsai was commenting on remarks by Zhang on Friday about Beijing respecting Taiwan’s choice of social system and values and that it would like to share its economic achievements with Taiwan, rather than swallow up its economy.
The DPP chairperson said of Greater Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu’s (陳菊) meeting with Zhang: “To a certain extent, the meeting represents the DPP’s attitude toward cross-strait exchanges.”
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