Amid renewed debates over the so-called “1992 consensus,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Katharine Chang (張小月) yesterday reiterated that President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) administration respects the historical fact of the 1992 cross-strait talks.
Chang made the remarks on the sidelines of a meeting of the legislature’s Internal Administration Committee, which was reviewing proposed amendments to Article 17 of the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (臺灣地區與大陸地區人民關係條例).
“President Tsai has stated on multiple occasions our opinions on the ‘1992’ [consensus], which is that we respect the historical fact of the 1992 [talks], with the key being seeking common ground, while reserving differences,” Chang said.
Photo: Chen Chih-chu, Taipei Times
Chang said that over the past two decades, both sides of the Taiwan Strait have made several achievements though communication and interaction.
Both sides should cherish and value these achievements, she said, adding that the government hopes to continue to improve cross-strait ties based on that political foundation.
The “1992 consensus” — a term former council chairman Su Chi (蘇起) admitted to making up in 2000 — refers to a tacit understanding between the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party that both sides acknowledge there is “one China,” with each side having its own interpretation of what “China” means.
Debates about the existence of the “1992 consensus” have been renewed after American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Raymond Burghardt said in an interview with Voice of America in Washington on Wednesday last week that the term “1992 consensus” did not exist until Su used it in 2000.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson An Fengshan (安峰山) on Saturday said that cross-strait communications were suspended on May 20 due to Taiwan’s failure to recognize the “1992 consensus,” which An said is an embodiment of the “one China” principle serving as the political foundation for cross-strait relations.
Asked by reporters about Burghardt’s remarks, Chang said the government’s stance is that it respects the historical fact of the 1992 talks and the achievements accumulated over the past two decades based on the shared understanding of seeking common ground, while reserving differences.
“The council will continue communications with Beijing and keep up efforts to accumulate goodwill across the Taiwan Strait,” she said.
She added that the amount of Chinese investment in Taiwan between January and last month showed an upward trend.
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
A fourth public debate was held today about restarting the recently decommissioned Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant, ahead of a referendum on the controversial issue to be held in less than two weeks. A referendum on Aug. 23 is to ask voters if they agree that “the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant should continue operations upon approval by the competent authority and confirmation that there are no safety concerns.” Anyone over 18 years of age can vote in the referendum. The vote comes just three months after its final reactor shut down, officially making Taiwan nuclear-free. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) represented
RSS