President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday reiterated his cross-strait policy of using the so-called “1992 consensus” as the basis for maintaining the peaceful “status quo” between Taiwan and China.
In a meeting with American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairman Raymond Burghardt, Ma said the basic cross-strait policy of the Republic of China (ROC) is to continue the peaceful development of ties between Taiwan and China based on the “1992 consensus.”
The “1992 consensus” refers to a supposed understanding between the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party that both Taiwan and China acknowledge there is “one China,” with each side having its own interpretation of what “one China” means.
Photo: CNA
In 2006, former Mainland Affairs Council chairman Su Chi (蘇起) admitted that he made up the term “1992 consensus” in 2000, when he was head of the council, before the KMT handed over power to the Democratic Progressive Party.
Ma said that in the seven years he has been president, he has abided by the “1992 consensus,” the existence of which he said was recently confirmed by several historical documents.
People should understand that “the ‘1992 consensus’ is actually the best model to defend the sovereignty of the Republic of China and the dignity of Taiwan,” Ma said. “It is crucial to maintaining the status quo.”
Meanwhile, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal published on Sunday, Ma addressed criticisms of his administration’s approach to cross-strait affairs and the link that has been made between his policies and the KMT’s defeat in the nine-in-one elections on Nov. 29 last year.
“It has been nearly seven years since we came to power and our mainland [China] policy has been criticized by some people over this entire period,” the president said in the interview. “[However,] our election defeat last year was not related to our mainland policy. The defeat was largely due to domestic issues.”
He blamed the defeat on the effects of the 2008 global financial crisis on the local economy, coupled with the repercussions resulting from domestic reforms, from capital gains tax to food safety.
However, Ma said, the government has transformed Taiwan’s relationship with China from one marked by confrontation and conflict into one marked by negotiation and rapprochement, creating peace that had been rarely seen across the Taiwan Strait.
“If the mainland China policy we have followed for the past seven years was such a great failure, and if the people were truly against it, why is it that the opposition party’s presidential candidate declared her mainland China policy objective to be ‘maintaining the status quo?’” Ma said.
He was referring to a statement on Friday last week by DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) that maintaining the “status quo” with regard to cross-strait relations is to maintain peace in the Strait so that both sides can pursue opportunities for future development under the premise of peace and stability.
Ma told the Journal that when he took office seven years ago, he put forth a vision to create a free, democratic and prosperous Taiwan, a peaceful cross-strait relationship and a friendly international environment.
“We have made steady progress toward our goals. While not all have been met, we have done a great deal toward realizing this vision,” he said in response to a question on how history should judge him as president.
Taiwan has also enjoyed a better distribution of income over the past seven years and now has one of the most equitable income distributions among the Asian Tigers, he said.
When asked about his options after he leaves office and what advice he would give to his successor, Ma said it is not appropriate to discuss now what he will do after he steps down.
However, policies promoted by his administration, particularly cross-strait policies, are vital and must not be taken lightly, he said.
“No major changes should be made, especially on key issues,” he said.
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